THE PROFESSION OF FORESTRY. 



RAPID DEVELOPMENT OF FORESTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. 



During the last decade forestry in the United States has developed 

 with remarkable rapidity. The inauguration of forest management 

 on the National Forests, the activity of various States in public for- 

 estry, and the increasing interest of private owners in timber growing 

 and protection have resulted in a marked demand for trained foresters. 



When active work in forestry first began there were no forest 

 schools in the country, and those entering upon the work were 

 obliged to go to Europe for technical training. In anticipation of 

 the need for foresters, and in order to aid in the development of for- 

 estry, several progressive institutions established schools of forestry 

 even before the demand for any considerable number of men was 

 definitely assured. 



The first professional school was established at Cornell University 

 in 1898. This was followed in 1900 by the Yale Forest School. 

 Private instruction in forestry was given at Biltmore, Xorth Carolina, 

 by Doctor Schenck in connection with his work on the Yanderbilt 

 estate as early as 1897, and a school for rangers was started by the 

 State of Pennsylvania at Mont Alto, Pennsylvania, in 1903. Since 

 that time instruction in forestry has been introduced in a large num- 

 ber of institutions. To-day there are 22 institutions which give 

 courses leading to a degree in forestry, and about 40 others which 

 include forestry in their curricula. It is estimated that there are 

 fully 500 men in the United States \^'ith a greater or less degree of 

 technical training, in addition to 1,500 forest rangers who began 

 '^'ithout a knowledge of the technical side of forestry, but many of 

 whom through their experience in National and State forest work 

 under technical direction have acquired considerable knowledge of 

 certain phases of the subject. There are probably about 1,000 young 

 men studying in the forest schools. 



Forestry may therefore be considered an established profession in 

 the United States. Hundreds of young men are considering it as a 

 life vocation, and are eager to be informed regarding the character of 

 work involved, the elements necessary for success, the requirements 

 for an adequate training, the present and probable future opportuni- 

 ties for work, and its possibilities as a means of livelihood. 



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