40 FORESTRY IN GERMANY. 



when food for cattle is scarce. In , the latter case the permission to gather 

 leaves is given to the highest bidder at auction sale. 



The gathering of berries, herbs and mushrooms is allowed, but a written 

 permit must be previously procured. 



Administration of state forests, or of forests owned by the crown, is en- 

 trusted to the Minister of Agriculture, Domains (public estates) and Forests. • 



Subordinate to this head department are — 



First. The central direction. 



Second. The local direction, inspection and control. These functions are 

 vested in the provincial governments, with offices in the chief places (two or 

 three) in each province. 



Third. The administration, properly- so called, under chief foresters, 

 , assisted by forest treasurers, who keep account of revenues and expenditures. 



Fourth. The department of forest protection, with special superintendents 

 of forestal works and constructions. Their officials are called forest pro- 

 tective officers. 



The whole organization is based upon a division of the state forests into 

 so-called oberfoerstereien (districts placed in charge of a chief forester). 

 Such chief forester is solely responsible for the state property under his 

 supervision. Chief masters' districts number at present 683, and are under 

 the control of thirty-three chief master foresters {pberforstmeister), who have 

 their offices at the seats of the above-mentioned provincial governments. 

 The average salary of a chief master forester is about 5,100 marks annually, 

 besides compensation for rental. 



THE PROFESSIONAL SPHERE OF A CHIEF FORESTER 



Embraces careful control, to keep intact the limits of forests owned by the 

 state; cooperation and advice in forestal organizations; preparation of 

 annual plans for the, hewing or stocking of forests ; the laying out of roads, 

 and to superintend all work required for these purposes; also, to see'to the 

 utilization of all forestal products; to have the control of all labor (making 

 tar, charcoal, pitch, &c.); to attend to the book-keeping, settlement of ac- 

 counts, and other administrative work. 



A chief forester must be thoroughly familiar with any forest entrusted to 

 his management— its limits, division, economical and legal condition. Daily 

 visits and inspection are required. A chief forester receives an average 

 salary of 2,850 marks per annum and fuel for his use. He derives his ap- 

 pointment from the Minister of Agriculture, Forests, &c. 



Applicants for such position are subjected to a rigid exapiination by ex- 

 perts in forestal matters. An appointee is considered a state officer, perma- 

 nently in office, and entitled to a pension. 



The extent of the different chief forestal districts differs, ranging from 

 1,000 to 11,105 hectares. 



Subordinate to the chief foresters are foresters and forest guards {wald- 

 wdrter), and assistant foresters. 



