74 ON DIFFERENT MODES OF 



operation much damage is often done by carelessness, the men who 

 are doing the work having no interest in being careful. The 

 result is, that many trees get burked to an extent from which they 

 never recover. 



I have heard gentlemen who have had large experience in the 

 management of estates, argue greatly in favour of this method of 

 selling timber ; but I have never found any practical forester, or 

 wood manager, declare that it was the most satisfactory way of 

 doing the work committed to their charge. The reason it finds 

 favour with estate agents and factors may generally be traced to 

 the cheapness whereby sales conducted in this way can be effected ; 

 an argument which should be sufficiently answered by taking into 

 consideration the fact that timber-merchants have generally to pay 

 a higher rate of wages for felling, &c, than landed proprietors are 

 able to do it for; and it is very clear that the expense of such 

 work must be made up in some way. 



There are cases where this may be the best way of disposing of a 

 lot of timber. For instance, if it is growing on an outlying estate, 

 where there is not a regular staff of workmen kept, or where there 

 is a difficulty in obtaining the necessary funds for carrying out the 

 work. When it is thought best to sell standing timber, I should 

 recommend selling by tender, for reasons mentioned under that 

 heading. 



Selling felled timber by auction. — This is a method of disposing 

 of timber which is pretty general in most parts of Scotland, and 

 occasionally in England ; and I consider it by far the most profit- 

 able way of disposing of timber. IS T o doubt it is more expensive in 

 the first place ; but my opinion is that, when properly managed, it 

 more than repays all expenses in the end. 



I have always found this way of disposing of timber gives more 

 satisfaction both to a proprietor and forester, the only objectors to it 

 being extensive timber-merchants. 



I offer the following reasons for giving preference to this 

 method : — 



1st, In this way trees can be felled much more satisfactorily, 

 being done by the proprietor's own men. 



2d, Timber can be properly classed, and sold in lots to suit pur- 

 chasers. 



3c?, By selling it in small lots, greater competition is created, and 

 a higher price generally realised. 



ith, Being divided among several purchasers, it can be sooner 

 removed olV the ground. 



