94 The yournal of Forestry, 



The price of underwood reached its climax in the winter of 1873, 

 after which it fell considerably in value till lately, owing chiefly to 

 the increased cost of labour for cutting and conversion ; but the above- 

 mentioned prices were again obtained during the past season. 



The underwood is principally converted into hoops for barrels, tubs, 

 &c., the wood being split, shaved, and tied up into bundles in lengths 

 of 14 feet, the longest size, down to 2^ feet ; 60 pieces making a 

 bundle of 14 feet, and 360 pieces a bundle of 1\ feet; 30 bundles 

 making a load of hoops in all lengths. Hazel is generally converted 

 into hurdles for folding sheep, whilst ash is frequently picked out for 

 hop-poles ; the trimmings, and very rough, crooked stuff being made 

 into bavins or fagots for fuel. 



The conditions under which the underwood is sold are pretty 

 generally as follows, although they vary somewhat in different 

 localities : — 



"Except that the auctioneers reserve the right of refusing a bidding, 

 the highest bidder to be the buyer, and if any dispute arise between 

 two or more bidders the lot shall be immediately put up again. 



" No person to advance less than five shillings at each bid, and 

 shall not retract his bidding. 



" The underwood of the lots stated to be sold by the j)iece, and in 

 lots the measurement of which is stated to be actual, shall be taken 

 by the purchaser at the quantity stated. " Actual " measure means 

 when the piece has been measured before, and the quantity is there- 

 fore known. The purchaser of each lot shall immediately after the 

 sale pay to the agent of the seller a deposit of not less than 20 per 

 cent., in part payment of the purchase-money, according to the 

 estimated measurement, and give approved security for the payment 

 of the remainder to the seller or his agent on or before the 5th day of 

 May next, before which day all the lots, except the lots sold as actual 

 and by the piece, shall be measured by the surveyor of the seller ; 

 and in case of non-payment of such remainder of the purchase-money 

 on or before the said 5th day of May, the seller after such default 

 (without prejudice to any other means for recovering such purchase- 

 money) shall be at full liberty at any time to seize, retake, retain, and 

 resell the said underwood, or if wholly or in part converted, the 

 produce thereof, and wheresoever or in whosoever's possession the 

 same may be, for making good the purchase-money, or such part as 

 shall remain unpaid. If the remainder of the purchase money shall 

 not be paid on or before the said 5th day of May next, the purchaser 

 shall pay interest on the unpaid purchase-money from that day at 

 10 per cent, per annum. To the purchaser of such lot or lots as shall 

 make immediate payment of the purchase-money, an allowance or 

 deduction of sixpence in the pound on the amount paid, not including 



