o—3a0—3a

60. The papers of each subject examined are marked according to merit up to a maximum of 20, and multiplied by the co-efficient laid down in Table (3). The sum of the resultant markings is divided by the sum of the co-efficients (103 for first year ; 130 for second year) to arrive at final average, which, in order to earn a pass, must exceed 10 (or 50 per cent.). The ratings of both years are combined to arrive at a final result. It was learnt that in the 1949 final examinations, the lowest rating was 12-7, and that only very rarely in the past have students failed to qualify for the " Diploma d'lngenieur Civil des Eaux et Forets." Failure to qualify incidentally involves a refund of the cost of training. Perusal of Table (3) will disclose the importance attached to the results of oral and practical tests, the final assessment in relation to written examinations. Although not included in. " allocation of co-efficients," all students are required to reach an approved standard in either the English or German language. The Staff Establishment 61. The School and Research Station are under a common local administration, which is responsible to the Director-General of Forests in Paris. This administration consists of a Director (Inspector-General Oudin), Assistant Director (Conservator Pol), Supervisor of Studies (Inspector Reneuve), and an Accountant. The lecturing cadre consists of the following (in addition to the administrative staff, three of whom are also in charge of forestry subjects) : 10 Conservators or Inspectors of the Forest Service. 3 Professors of the University of Nancy (Genetics, and Law). 2 Professors of the Lycee of Nancy (German and English Language). Of the above ten forestry lecturers, six are in charge of sections of tne Research Station, each having at least one (mainly two) full-time qualified research assistant. Thus, with one minor exception, no lecturer is responsible for more than one subject, which provides ample time for research. 62. It is evident that the Forestry Administration in Paris extends a high degree -of latitude and independence to the school, which has earned international prestige in the tradition of such great French educationists as Lorentz, Guinier, and Schaeffer. The staff is, of course, appointed by the Central Forestry Administration ; changes are apparently infrequent, but with the staff resources of the French Forest Service to draw upon it is reasonable to assume that a high standard is maintained and that the disadvantages of prolonged disassociation from executive forest experience is avoided. Personal contacts with the Director (M. Oudin), Conservator Reneuve, and Inspector Pourtet created a most favourable impression. Unfortunately all students and the majority of lecturers were absent on tour. The Forest Research Station (Station de Recherches et Experiences Forestieres) 63. The work of the Station is organized in seven sections, briefly as follows : I. The Silviculture and Management of Indigenous Forest Stands ; Direction of All French Forest Service Sample Plots ; Administration of Forests Affecting or Owned by the School (Conservator Ayral and two assistants). 11. Forestry Botany; and Plant Pathology (Conservator Rol and one assistant). 111. Ecology; and the General. Study of Exotic Species (Inspector Pourtet and two assistants). IY. Properties and Uses of Wood ; and Materials of Construction —Timber Testing Laboratory (Inspector Venet). Y. Forest Soils, and Chemical Research (Director Oudin and one assistant). VI. Forest Zoology and Hydrobiology (Inspector Jolly). VII. Conservation and Reclamation of Mountain Soils ; Research on Glaciers and Mountain Rainfall (Conservator Berthelemy and one assistant).

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