o—3a

The Higher State Examination 32. This State examination is of particular interest in that it reflects the high standard which is required of recruits to the German Forest Service. The written examination occupies ten days and consists of twelve general questions of a searching executive and administrative nature, four of which have a special emphasis on silviculture and management. Text-books may be referred to, as emphasis is not on technical detail but on practical problems calling for sound fundamental knowledge and power of expression. In addition to the written examination, the students are examined orally for one and a half hours on eight subjects separately. Finally the students are examined in five forest sites, being required to express opinions and criticize the management and utilization of respective stands. Every question (written and oral) is screened by two forest officials and a rating of 1 to sis awarded each (1 is the highest). Thus the overall maximum possible merit marking is ———= 1. Those getting an average exceeding 4 are rejected as 25 being below required standard. Middle Forestry Schools in Germany 33. Of the five middle schools functioning at present in Western Germany, those located at Scotten in Hesse Darmstadt and at Duesterntal in Hanover were visited. These schools are administered by the Forest Service, and there is little variation in the system of education ; consequently it is possible to discuss them collectively. The main purpose of these schools is to provide a practical forestry training based on sound principles as a basis for the qualifications required of a " Revierforster " (Forest Ranger). A boy of sixteen who wishes to qualify for appointment is required, pending completion of his secondary-school education, to submit to the Regional Forest Office his school, medical, and conduct certificates together with personal details. He may then be accepted for apprenticeship and undergoes two years of supervised practical forest experience which, if satisfactory, leads to nomination to a Middle Forestry School. In addition to Forest Service apprentices, private students and nominees of local bodies are eligible for such forestry training. 34. The course occupies one full year, inclusive of two short vacations in summer and winter. Lectures are practically confined to the mornings and, although necessarily elementary, provide a thorough grounding in the following subjects : (1) Elements of Silviculture. (2) Forest Protection. (3) Timber Management and Road Construction. (4) Use and Maintenance of Tools and Equipment. (5) Utilization, including Felling and Logging. (6) Forest Service and Civil Law Codes. (7) Game, including Elements of Zoology. (8) Forest Accounting. (9) Botany. (10) Administration, Workers' Wages, Timber Sales, &c. (11) Elements of Agriculture,. Horticulture, and Apiculture. 35. The main emphasis is, however, on the practical forestry skills, and the tool workshops are particularly well equipped, providing bench space for fifty students. Detailed instruction and practice is, for example, given in the cutting and setting of saws, sharpening of cutting tools, and the making of axe and bow-saw handles.

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