20 AN AUSTRALIAN STUDY OF AMERICAN FORESTRY. 
Thus, it is part of the plan to take rangers into supervisors’ offices, super- 
visors into district offices, district foresters into head offices, for a month or so 
at a time “on detail ”—with a view to enlarging their experience, broadening 
their outlook, and, consequently, increasing their value to the service. 
Meetings of the rangers of a forest are held annually, to keep them in 
touch with the entire work of the forest, to give forest officers the benefit of 
one another’s experience, and to promote esprit de corps. Supervisors and 
district foresters’ meetings are held similarly. 
Finally, as part of their duty, rangers are given instructional assignments 
during the winter months, consisting of courses of study and reading to develop 
their efficiency. 
It is laid down that “the grade of efficiency demanded by Forest Service 
work cannot be obtained by the mechanical enforcement of rigid rules such 
as govern military organisations.” A different type of service is required, based 
upon close observation of the character, ability and experience, and judgment 
of each individual. 
“Tnstructions, and not orders, should be issued by superiors to subordin- 
ates. A dictatorial manner or a lack of courtesy merely arouses resentment 
and tends to kill the self-respect, self-reliance, and initiative which a good 
forester must have.” 
Human nature is the same in Australia as in America, and the tendency 
in both countries is to depart from the militaristic type of discipline. 
“On the other hand, subordinates should carry out their instructions 
with intelligence, energy, and loyalty, in ezder that peremptory orders may 
not become necessary.” 
fat 
“Each man should exercise unfailing tact and comradeship, and the most 
persistent and conscientious efforts to assist and co-operate with his fellow 
officers.” | 
z 
3 
“When making personnel assignments, the supervisor should carefully 
consider the fitness of the man for the particular project. This precaution 
not only obtains better results, but is more just to the man. No one should 
be assigned to work which he cannot satisfactorily perform. Fully-qualified 
men can be obtained, however, only rarely, and in order to ensure the greatest 
possible degree of success, the officer in charge should see that inexperienced 
men are furnished with the most explicit instructions. These instructions 
should cover, not only the methods of doing the work, but should include 
suggestions as to proper equipment and any other information which may 
prove of value,” 
Inability to perform properly the duties of his position involves 
“ demotion.” 
