168 TIMBERS AND THEIK USES 



The Minister of Agriculture is also President - 

 of the Forest Council, which comprises the 

 Minister, the Director of Forests and three heads 

 of departments. The first controls the bureau 

 for legal matters, forest instruction, records and 

 acquisitions ; the second, the bureau of working 

 plans and utilization ; and the third that for 

 reafforestation of mountain tracts, public works, 

 replanting and clearing. The staff controlled 

 by the Council comprises 36 conservators, the 

 higher controlUng and inspecting officers ; 225 

 inspectors in charge of divisions ; 242 assistant 

 inspectors, who personally direct the work in 

 their cantonments ; and 328 rangers with some- 

 what similar duties. There are also approxi- 

 mately 3,500 forest guards of various grades. 



The training for the higher posts in the French 

 forest service is shorter than in Germany, never- 

 theless it is highly efficient, the officers usually 

 attaining to a higher level of professional excel- 

 lence. The forestry school is, in normal times, 

 situated at Nancy, and the course extends over 

 two years. There is also a well-managed school 

 at the Domaine des Barres in Loiret for men 

 of the higher grade of forest guards who have 

 displayed ability in' their work, and desire to 

 qualify for admission to the ranks of the superior 

 staff. 



Candidates for admission at Nancy must have 



