FORESTRY IN GERMANY. 



137 



For a better understanding of what is taught in the forest academies it is 

 required that the person expecting to devote himself to forestry should first 

 pass through a course of practical study at some forest oiifice under the direc- 

 tion of the overforester. In the Thuringian states one year of such study is 

 indispensable if the person intends to enter the service of the State. This 

 period of study is called the eleve, or voluntary year. 



In the forest academies there prevails, as in the universities, perfect free- 

 dom of study, with the exception that those students preparing themselves 

 for the state service, must attend the academy under the control of the 

 respective states from which they seek appointment, and are also bound to 

 study all the branches taught. 



The courses of study usually are as follows : 



Chairs. • 



Three instructors.. 



One instructor 



One instructor 



Two instructors 



One instructor 



One instructor 



One instructor 



Subject of instruction. 



Forest culture in general. 

 Jurisprudence. 

 Political economy. 

 Mathematics and geodesy. 

 Physics and chemistry. 

 Mineralogy and geognosy. 

 Botany and zoology of forestry. 



Moreover, an academy must necessarily possess extensive collections in 

 geodetic and scientific objects, and also a tract of woodland into which ex- 

 cursions may be made by the students from time to time for the purpose of 

 lectures and practical demonstrations. 



For the Thuringian states, i. e., for the grand duchy of Saxe- Weimar- 

 Eisenach, the duchies of Saxe-Meiningen and Anhalt, the principalities of 

 Schwarzburg, Rudolstadt, Sondershausen, the forest academy of Eisenach is 

 established by law. 



This school was established as long ago as 1808, and was first carried on 

 by a private gentleman; but in 1830 it was raised by the grand duke of 

 Saxe-Weimar to the rank of a government institution, and since that date it 

 has been conducted under the direction of the state. 



The course at this school is two years. At the close of each semester a 

 brief examination is held, which all the students who think of entering the 

 service of the state are bound to stand. After the expiration of the four 

 semesters the principal examination takes place, the so-called tentamen (test 

 examination). At this exainination, which is held in the presence of state 

 officials, opportunity is given to the students desiring appointrnent by the 

 government, in writing and orally, to show how far their qualification answers 

 the requirements of the law. 



The decisions on the result of the examination and the composition sub- 

 mitted are laid before the ministries of the respective states whose subjects 

 have attempted the examination, and they determine whether the examined 

 is qualified for the state service or required to go through another semester 

 for the purpose of a re-examination. If the student is deemed competent 

 and acceptable he is then temporarily admitted into the service and receives 



