MARKUTIN'G TIMHICR FROM FARM WOODLANDS 141 



I 

 WORKING UP FIELD DATA 



This work is done in the office and results in a valuation sheet fur- 

 nished the owner, showing the number of marked trees of each species, 

 the amount of material they contain, and its stumpage value, based on 

 log run of the various species. The tally is arranged by inch diameter 

 classes and height classes and all deductions for form or unsoundness 

 made in the field. The merchantable content is determined from local 

 volume tables which have been worked up from taper measurements 

 of the important commercial species in ]\Iaryland. Stumpage value is 

 generally determined by deducting from the sale price at the shipping 

 point, first a 20 per cent profit for the operator, then the logging, manu- 

 facturing, and delivery cost, the remainder representing the stumpage 

 value. From a large number of operations in any given section stump- 

 age values may be determined by comparison. In working out stump- 

 age values the mill-run product is considered and little attempt made 

 to classify by grades. 



SALI3 OF TIMBER 



Having marked the timber for cutting and determined the amount 

 and its value, the next step is to bring about a satisfactory sale. For 

 this purpose a prospectus sheet is prepared, setting forth briefly the 

 amount and kinds of timber offered for sale, its location with reference 

 to shipping point or market, the conditions, and such information as 

 would be of special interest to a prospective buyer, except no mention 

 is made of prices. 



This form is mimeographed and about fifty copies furnished to the 

 owner, with the names and addresses of as many sawmills and timber 

 operators selected from the State list, taking those who would be most 

 interested in thg particular tract of timber. This list of timber buyers 

 is kept as near up to date as possible for the benefit of those having 

 timber to sell. These prospectus sheets are sent out by the owner, and 

 as a result many inquiries are generally received and a number of 

 timber men inspect the timber. As the trees are all plainly marked, the 

 inspection is much facilitated. This placing the seller in direct commu- 

 nication with buyers greatly increases the chance of a satisfactory sale. 



When the valuation and prospectus sheets are furnished to the 

 farmer, he is also provided with a form of contract containing pro- 

 visions suitable for carrying out the operation and fully protecting him. 

 The contract provides for limiting the cutting to marked or specified 

 trees, the protection of young growth and unmarked trees in the log- 



