130 



MANAGEMENT AND SALE OF TIMBER. 



be given if necessary, but we will only instance that of larch 

 sleepers, with the above detailed expenses, thus : — Is. 3d. 



Timber required for 10 inch sleeper 3 feet, at 8d. per ft. 2s. Od. 



Price of sleeper, 



3s. 3d. 



The next quotations show the prices of foreign and home- 

 grown timber, known to bear nearly an equal value to each 

 other. 



It is difficult, in some cases, to account for the difference of 

 price ; quality does not account for it — e. g., 2s. per foot is paid 

 for Memel, which for strength and durability does not surpass, 

 if it even equals the natural Highland pine of Scotland, yet 

 one-third less is paid for the latter. On the other hand we have 

 American elm at Is. 9d., said to equal, if not to surpass the 

 home growth at 2s. per foot. 



The following statement refers to prices of timber in Rox- 

 burghshire obtained principally at auction sales. In that part 

 of the country the greater proportion of the timber is used upon 

 the estates upon which it is grown, hence only a comparatively 

 small quantity is disposed of in the market, and which is gene- 

 rally cut down, laid in lots, and sold by public roup realising of 

 late years the following prices : — 



Considering the rural enterprise of the people in Roxburgh- 



