46 FORESTRY IN GERMANY. 



nation in forestal sciences before a board of examiners appointed by the 

 Minister of Forests. If he passes that examination successfully he receives 

 the title of a.forst candidat (candidate of forestry). As such he has to take 

 the oath of a state officer. He is now placed with a surveyor and must pass 

 another examination as surveyor. His education is continued under the 

 guidance of an able chief forester in forests. Here he must complete his 

 practical course within at least two years, aided by self-study and participa- 

 tion in all forestal affairs. After this, and after absolving one year's service 

 in the army, he is permitted to apply for final examination to the chief board 

 of examiners at Berlin. After passing this examination he receives the title 

 of oberfdrster candidat, and is entitled to a position of chief forester whenever 

 a vacancy occurs. 



Prussia has two forest academies, Eberswalde and Munden. 



The course of study at the academy, for instance at Eberswalde, is as 

 follows : 



Excursions are made into the forests three times weekly, combined with 

 lectures and practical demonstrations. 



DESTRUCTION OF FORESTS, CAUSES AND RESULTS. 



Many great countries, which flourished in former times, have, by devasta- 

 tion or extermination of their forests, fallen into pauperism and cultural de- 

 crepitude. 



In consequence of the extirpation of forests of the " Nehrungen " (low 

 ground on the Baltic coasts), in the 17th and i8th centuries, the sea coasts 

 are unprotected. Moveable sand now covers vast fertile tracts in adjacent 

 districts. Villages, where the farming population lived in prosperity, have 

 disappeared, or fallen into ruins. 



In the central or eastern provinces, having level and light soil, sand 

 mounts and hills have been, to a greater or less extent, blown away, and 



