Timber Sale Contract Clauses. 151 



that follow are of course purely personal and have no official 

 significance whatever. 



STANDARD CLAUSES. (Form 202.) 



The feature of Form 202, (revised October 15, 191 1) is the 

 very complete interlinear directions for filling in the spaces left 

 blank; these directions should, of course, be carefully followed 

 and it is essential that the latest revised draft of the form be used. 

 Frequently contracts have to be returned because local officers 

 have used obsolete forms. In district III, at least the formal 

 application, signed by the prospective purchaser, follows exactly 

 the wording to be used in the final contract. This is a matter of 

 convenience and accomplishes the desired result of informing the 

 purchaser as soon as possible just what requirements will govern 

 the cutting. It is the rule to describe the location of the timber 

 approximately in the advertisement, and the contract follows this 

 wording. If an irregular area, the exact boundaries can best be 

 designated on the ground. Some purchasers have been dissatis- 

 fied because the estimates have occasionally run short ; the Forest 

 Service does not guarantee estimates because they are often based 

 on ocular cruising and hence are very approximate. The language 

 used in filling in after the words "Estimated to be" (Form 202, 

 page I ) is therefore directed to end with the words "more or less." 

 It is seldom advisable to specify an exact amount for lagging, 

 stulls, ties, lumber, etc. ; it is preferable to give lump figures except 

 where local conditions require specific estimates. Of course 

 stumpage rates in contracts cover the full appraised value of the 

 species; yet it is often a matter of convenience to advertise timber 

 at a flat rate rather than specify a separate price for each species 

 or for dead and green material. It may often be advisable to 

 closely estimate the average amount of dead and green cordwood, 

 and on a mathematical basis figure an equitable rate. This cheap- 

 ens measurement and is usually easier for the purchaser. In other 

 words the price as specified in all contracts should be as simple as 

 possible. Payments are made in installments as directed in the 

 "Timber Sales" Manual. We may now explain the regular 

 clauses used in form 202 : 



I. Timber upon valid claims and all timber to which there exists valid 

 claim under contract with the Forest Service is exempted from this 

 sale. 



