4 MISC. PUBLICATION 2 4 9, U. S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE 



short one, although as the number of foresters increases and competition 

 becomes more intense, the training period may be expected to lengthen. 



The young forester is apt to have his headquarters shifted frequently, 

 somewhat like the civil engineer. The places to which he is assigned may 

 not always be the most desirable from the standpoint of personal comfort 

 or convenience, especially for family life. Because of this shifting about, 

 he may be unable for some time to establish a home. On the other hand, 

 if he is an able man, he may ultimately advance to a position that will give 

 him more permanent headquarters and greater opportunity for home life. 

 He must not count himself secure, however, against a change of working field 

 which will necessitate removal to a new place. Ordinarily, his home will 

 be in a small town or its vicinity. 



Even in the higher positions, whether in Government or private work, 

 the forester may have to spend a great deal of time supervising or inspecting 

 actual field operations. Trips away from his headquarters may be for only 

 a day or so, or they may be for several weeks. In some positions such travel 

 often includes long, hard journeys by horse and pack train. Frequently 

 it means rough walking, and sometimes days of slow and laborious progress 

 by snowshoe or canoe. Even with the greatest possible extension of good 

 roads, much of the forester's travel for many years to come will necessarily 

 be arduous. 



Variety of Tasks 



The character of the work which foresters are called upon to do varies 

 greatly. It may depend upon the aptitudes of the individual, his previous 

 experience, and the degree and kind of his specialized training. 



For many the work is largely administrative. They conduct timber sales, 

 supervise range use, organize and maintain a fire-control organization, and 

 handle various other operational jobs involved in the management of a 

 forest area. Others spend the greater part of their time in such work as 

 determining the amount and rate of timber growth on given tracts, or 

 working out the best methods of cutting to obtain a second crop without 

 recourse to planting. And still others work on all kinds of problems associ- 

 ated with the life history and productive capacity of the forest. Some 

 foresters must concencrate on problems relating to the determination of 

 grazing capacities and systems of range management that will improve 

 and perpetuate this resource. Others must deal with wildlife and its 

 management. 



Groups of foresters are also engaged in devising methods of protecting 

 the forest from fire, disease, and insects; in operating efficient systems of 

 administration ; and in dealing with the problems of utilization of the forest 

 and its products. Special aptitudes or interests may lead some men per- 

 manently into flood-control or soil conservation work. Others may find 

 employment in connection with various forest, watershed, and land surveys, 

 or recreation work. 



The majority of foresters have to deal with both the scientific and business 

 aspects of the profession. In brief, they must be good businessmen with 

 thorough technical education. They must be able to manage and develop 

 the property under their care in such a way as to make it yield high returns 

 at low cost. Their scientific equipment is a matter of thorough schooling; 

 the business equipment must be gained through experience. Both are 

 essential. 



