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United States Department of Agricis^^ D m *&£&> 





FOREST SERVICE— Circular No. 23 (Third Revision). 

 GIFFORD PINCHOT, Forester. 



SUGGESTIONS TO PROSPECTIVE FOREST STUDENTS. 



INTRODUCTION. 



The Forest Service 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. Such 

 inquiries from those who think of taking up forestry as are not covered 

 by this circular will always be answered willingly. It will be under- 

 stood, however, that, although the Forest Service 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 only position in the Service 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 the 

 Service in the field and in the office. It must be clearly understood 

 that the work as a Forest Student does not constitute in itself a step- 

 ping-stone to higher positions in the Forest Service, but forms a part 

 only of the training useful in fitting a man for the profession of forestry. 

 It is the policy of the Service 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 Service in 

 working up data obtained in the field. The eligibilitj 7 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. They 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 



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