the painstaking search of scientists who labored to obtain the basic 

 truths for which others found a practical application. 



Many foresters must also have the qualities necessary to a successful 

 teacher. In their efforts to develop better public understanding of 

 forest conservation problems, they perform the functions of educators. 

 Such work is part of the forester's regular duties in many positions. 

 Nearly every forester, whether consciously or not, is helping to mold 

 public sentiment. Hence his job requires ability to meet people and 

 gain the confidence of the public. 



In public forestry the spirit of service is a most important requisite 

 for success. It is the spirit that causes men to place the interests of 

 society and of the group at large above the interests of one's self or 

 of the few. It is exemplified in the policy which governs the adminis- 

 tration of our national forests— of so managing the forests as to pro- 

 mote the greatest good for the greatest number of our people in the 

 long run. 



Conservation of our natural resources is today one of the greatest 

 internal problems of the Nation, and conservation with use is the 

 essence of forestry. The forest is a resource that must be conserved; 

 it is also an agency for the conservation of other natural resources 

 such as soil, water, wildlife, and forage. The work done in forest con- 

 servation in this country has been accomplished by men imbued with 

 the spirit of service and believing wholeheartedly in what they are 

 doing. The task of carrying this work forward will demand men 

 capable of overcoming great obstacles. 



THE FIELD OF WORK 



Foresters are now employed by the Federal Government; the States, 

 most of which have forestry departments; municipalities; lumber com- 

 panies and private owners of timberland; wood-using industries; educa- 

 tional institutions; and organizations conducting research or promo- 

 tional work in forestry. 



FORESTRY IN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT 



Up to the close of the first decade of the century, the United States 

 Government was the principal employer of American foresters. In 

 1912 it was officially estimated that 60 percent of the foresters in this 

 country were in Federal Government work and that fully 95 percent 

 had been so engaged at one time or another. Since then the States, 

 municipalities, educational institutions, and private corporations have 

 absorbed large numbers of graduating foresters. However, with the 

 expansion of the Federal Government's forestry activities in recent 

 years, it still remains the largest employer of trained foresters. 



Although the majority of professional foresters now in Federal Gov- 

 ernment employ are in the United States Forest Service, a number of 

 foresters are employed in the management of forest lands on Indian 

 reservations under the Office of Indian Affairs of the Department of 

 the Interior. Foresters are also employed in the National Park Service, 

 the Grazing Service, Oregon and California Lands Administration, 

 General Land Office, and Fish and Wildlife Service of the same Depart- 

 ment; in the Income Tax Unit of the Treasury; in the Tennessee Val- 

 ley Authority; and in the Farm Security Administration and Soil Con- 



