MARKETING TIMBER FROM FARM WOODLANDS ' 



By F. W. Beslev 

 State forester of Maryland 



The last census reports 6.351.502 farms in the United States, having 

 a wooded area of 190.865.553 acres, or approximately 30 acres per 

 farm. The average annual value of the forest products from each 

 farm was $81. of which 76 per cent represented cut products and 24 

 per cent standing timber sold. A large proportion of the forest area 

 of the United States east of the 100th meridian can be classified as 

 farm woodlands, and since the farmer, with his relatively small hold- 

 ing, enabling closer supervision, better protection, and more intensive 

 management, is in an excellent position to practice forestry. 



It is therefore of the greatest importance to maintain the productivity 

 of these lands, and. in my opinion, there is no better way of reaching 

 the farmer and leading him along the lines of practical forestry than 

 in the assistance that it is possible to give him in marketing his timber 

 under a system of regulated cutting. 



USUAL SELLING METHODS 



X'arious methods are followed in the selling of timber. The common 

 practice is for the timber buyer, with a portable mill, attracted by a 

 piece of timber, to approach the farmer with a proposition to buy for a 

 lump sum. The farmer will generally hold off for a higher price than 

 is offered, on the principle that the offer is probably a good deal less 

 than the timber is worth, and to give him time to think it over. If the 

 sale is made on this basis, there may or may not be a stipulation as to 

 the minimum stump diameter. Even if there is, it is usually so low as 

 to leave little of the small, thrifty timber. A minimum stump diameter, 

 especially in hardwoods, does not permit of enough leeway in disposing 

 of undesirable trees and of reserving very desirable individual trees. 

 Furthermore, it is generally so loosely interpreted and difficult to en- 

 force as to be little protection. 



Instead of selling the tract for a lump sum. the sale may be made on 

 a price per acre, but the result is practically the same. 



'Delivered before the Society of American Foresters at its annual meeting, at 

 Baltimore, Md.. December 27, 1918. 



135 



