QUALIFICATION OF A FORESTER 
361 
to recognize fungal diseases, and to estimate the quantity 
of timber on a tract or the lumber in a tree. 
Scientific forestry is now practiced on about 90% of the 
public forests of the United States and on about 2% of the 
woodlands privately owned. Only about one fifth of the 
wooded area of the United States is under government 
control. New York State is taking steps to preserve her 
Figure 335. — Fire Train in the Adirondack^. 
forests and also to reforest large tracts which have been 
cut over (Figures 327-329). 
National Forest Reserves are maintained in 23 states, 
chiefly in the western third of the United States. In the 
eastern portion many of the states have preserves, and in 
addition there are a few privately owned preserves. 
307. Qualification of a Forester. — In addition to the prep¬ 
aration and qualifications necessary for a position as forest 
ranger, a forester must have much broader technical knowl¬ 
edge. This is usually gained by taking a course in a 
