246 North American Forests and Forestry 



climatic requirements of his forest ; all of these must 

 be assiduously studied by the forester. Mathe- 

 matics is evidently a fundamental part of his equip- 

 ment, for without its aid an accurate mensuration 

 of his property is impossible, and all calculations 

 regarding its value would hang in the air. More- 

 over, a certain knowledge of mathematics is re- 

 quired for road building and similar operations, 

 for which the aid of an engineer is not always 

 available. 



Leaving the technical branch of forestry, we find 

 that on the economic side a comprehension of the 

 laws which regulate the production, distribution, and 

 consumption of wealth is needed, in order that the 

 financial results of forestal operations may not be 

 left to chance. The administrative side, at last, 

 requires an understanding of the whole complex life 

 of the nation and even of the whole human world, 

 so that the work may be properly adapted to its 

 place as but one wheel in the gigantic machinery of 

 society. To this end the social and political rela- 

 tions of the nation, — history, law, and govern- 

 ment — must not be unknown to the forester who 

 wishes to be a master in his chosen field. 



It stands to reason that no man can be equally 

 proficient in all these branches of his art, even theo- 

 retically, not to speak of their practical application. 

 But a knowledge of their fundamental principles is 

 necessary to all members of the profession. After 

 that has been acquired each man will become a 

 specialist in some chosen field, according to his taste 



