132 



MANAGEMENT AND SALE OF TIMBER. 



occasions are generally equally varied. If, therefore, tlie lot to 

 be disposed of is only or scarcely sufficient to meet the demands 

 of the purchasers, the sale is spirited, and the purchase of each 

 lot not only well contested, but raised to or over its value. 



It not unfrequently happens, however, that at auction sales 

 only a few individuals make their appearance, who are local pur- 

 chasers, acquainted with each other, each knowing nearly to what 

 extent and which sort his neighbour intends to purchase, hence 

 a dull competition. This is not, however, of nearly so frequent 

 occurrence in Roxburghshire as it used to be in former years. 

 Through the facilities afforded by railways for travelling, pur- 

 chasers now come from a greater distance, whose persons and 

 business are less known to each other ; hence, when the quantity 

 and quality of the wood are worthy of attention, the timber 

 closely situated together, of one sort, and of ready access 

 for loading, Roxburghshire does not fail to command such 

 prices as have been quoted. The principal purchasers are 

 coopers, who buy Sycamore, Birch, Poplar, and Ash ; wheel- 

 wrights, who buy Oak, Ash, Elm, and Larch ; millwrights, who 

 buy Birch, Elm, Oak, Ash, and Pine ; and carpenters, who buy 

 Pine, Fir, and hardwoods of various sorts, Wherever the sales 

 are of sufficient importance, one or more timber merchants 

 generally attend, who pick up the best of the wood for ship- 

 building, but of course not at so high a price as if making a 

 large purchase in one place. 



The following list comprises the prices of timber in Inver- 

 ness and Moravshire, including natural Scots Pine of the best 

 quality in Britain : — 



i' 2 per ft, Whole tree 



7 „ 



8 „ 



7 „ 



2 „ 



„ 



o „ 



8 



1. Larch, 1st quality, root cut, 



2. Scots Pine (planted), 

 (natural), 



3. Do 



4. Spruce, 



5. Ash, 



6. Elm, 



7. Oak, 



8. Beech, 



9. Birch, 



10. Alder, 



11. Poplar, 



12. Limetree, 



13. Willow, 



14. Sycamore, 



15. Sweet Chestnut, 



On comparing the prices of timber in this district with those 

 in other parts of Scotland, ii will be seen that some of the 

 former are fully as high as the latter, such, for instance, as Oak, 

 Ash, Elm, which are scarce in the country. Others, as Larch, 

 Spruce, Scotch Pine, and Birch, are cheaper. The comparative 



