104 Our Field and Forest Trees 



It has been suggested from time to time that 

 the position of ranger would be a pleasant oppor- 

 tunity for men not quite strong enough or diligent 

 enough to succeed in town or city. Therefore 

 civil service literature Informs all whom It may 

 concern that " Individuals seeking light, outdoor 

 employment " need not apply for the position of 

 forest ranger. And some member of the service 

 has jokingly said that a ranger must be proficient 

 In not less than thirty-eight trades and professions. 

 He should be, we are told, " axeman, sawmill man, 

 broncho-buster, geologist, surveyor, entomologist, 

 lumberman, cow-puncher, metallurgist. Irrigation 

 engineer, cook, veterinarian, cattleman, fisherman, 

 botanist, police ofiicer, fire warden, patent attor- 

 ney, chemist, lawyer, sheepman, draftsman, guide, 

 game warden, deputy United States marshal, 

 blacksmith, stenographer, saddle-maker, dam- 

 builder, diplomat, athlete, trained nurse, packer, 

 bridge builder, carpenter, farmer, hunter, and tele- 

 phone lineman " — and so no ordinary person 

 can fill a ranger's position. 



Under the rangers are the guards, usually tem- 

 porary men, employed during the summer months, 

 to help in fire patrol, or in road-making and con- 

 struction work. 



All forest officers except the guards must pass 

 the Civil Service examination before they can 

 receive a permanent appointment. They must be 

 residents of the state or territory In which the 



