CIRCULAR NO. 23. 
United States Department of Agriculture, 
BUREAU OF FORESTRY. 
SUGGESTIONS TO PROSPECTIVE FOREST STUDENTS. 
INTRODUCTION. 
The Bureau of Forestry receives a large and increasing number of 
requests for information upon matters treated in this circular. The 
purpose of its publication is to supply this information fully and 
promptly. Inquiries from those who think of taking up forestry, 
which are not covered in this circular, will always be answered will- 
ingly. It will be understood, however, that, although the Bureau 
of Forestry 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 STUDENT ASSISTANT. 
The only position in this Bureau open to those whose training in 
forestry is incomplete or has not yet begun is that of Student Assist- 
ant. It has been created in order to afford young men who are 
thinking seriously of making forestry their profession, or who have 
already taken up its study, an opportunity to become familiar with 
the methods of this Bureau in the field and in the office. It must 
be clearly understood that work as a Student Assistant does not 
constitute in itself a stepping-stone to higher positions in the Bureau 
of Forestry but forms a part only of the training useful in fitting a 
man for the profession of forestry. 
Student Assistants 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 eligibility 
of a Student Assistant 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. 
4 
a Student Assistants, while in the field, receive $25 per month, with 
_ the payment of their expenses for living and for local travel. They 
