Circular No. 23 (Second Revision). 



United States Department of Agriculture, 



BUREAU OF FORESTRY. 



SUGGESTIONS TO PROSPECTITE FOREST STUDENTS. 



INTRODUCTION. 



The Bureau of Forestrj^ receives a large and increasing number of 

 requests for information upon matters treated in this circuk^r. The 

 purpose of its pubHcation is to supplj^ this information fully and 

 promptly. Inquiries from those who think of taking up forestry, which 

 are not covered b}^ this circular, will alwaj^s be answered willingl3\ It 

 will be understood, however, that, although the Bureau of Forestrj^ 

 stands ready, so far as it can, to assist and advise the forest student, it 

 can reasonably go no further than to explain the situation and point 

 out the means by which a man may prepare himself for it. It can no 

 more assume the responsibility of deciding for the prospective forest 

 student whether he will do well to take up forestry than it can predict 

 to what position he will attain as a forester. 



POSITION OF FOREST STUDENT. 



The onl}^ position in this Bureau open to those whose training in for- 

 estry is incomplete is that of Forest Student. It has been created in 

 order to afford young men who have determined to make forestry their 

 profession, an opportunity to become familiar with the methods of 

 this Bureau in the field and in the office. It must be clearly under- 

 stood that work as a Forest Student does not constitute in itself a 

 stepping-stone to higher positions in the Bureau of Forestrj^, but forms 

 a part only of the training useful in fitting a man for the profession of 

 forestr3^ It is the policy of the Bureau to retain a man as Forest 

 Student only long enough for him to gain full advantage from the 

 opportunities for field and office work which the position affords. He 

 will then be expected to continue his training elsewhere. 



Forest Students are, as a rule, appointed for the field season only. 

 This varies from three to six months or more, according to the locality 

 and the demands of the work. A limited number are retained after the 

 field season closes, in order to assist in the office of the Bureau in 

 working up data obtained in the field. The eligibilitj^ of a Forest Stu- 

 dent to be continued in the office during the winter depends upon the 

 quality of his field work and upon the seriousness of his intention to 

 take up forestry. 



Forest Students, while in the field, receive $25 per month, with the 

 payment of their expenses for living and for local travel. Thej^ are 

 required to defray their 'traveling expenses to the field from their homes. 

 If they take up work in the office at the close of the field season, the 

 cost of the journey from the field to Washington is borne by the 



