76 ON DIFFERENT MODES OF 



sold standing in one lot; but not proving satisfactory, it has lately 

 been sold by auction in small lots, after being cut down ; and since 

 that method was adopted, we have had coal-pit proprietors, con- 

 tractors, bobbin-makers, boat-builders, pianoforte-makers, mill-owners, 

 &c, attending our sales, and baying what suited their various 

 wants. 



To give an idea of the cost of felling and putting the timber into 

 lots, I give a statement of what was paid here this year for that 

 work :— 



16,172 feet of timber realised, .... L.727 

 Topwood, . . . . . 23 



L.750 



Cost of felling, . . . L.50 10 



Cost of putting into lots, including 



horse hire, . . . . 19 18 6 



Cost of cutting out topwood, . 5 7 6 



Cost of lotting do. . 3 13 6 



Deduct 79 9 6 



Profit, L. 6 70 10 6 



The above quantity of timber was sold in 112 lots. In carrying 

 out the sale, I had every tree measured exactly as it was cut down, 

 and the contents marked on the end of the tree ; and afterwards, 

 when they were put in lots, I was enabled to get the exact contents 

 of each lot by copying it off the trees as they were brought forward. 

 I had different sorts and qualities kept in separate lots, the size of a 

 lot varying from 100 to 1200 feet. 



No doubt the sum of L.80 looks a large amount to pay for 

 labour, but it would have been impossible for timber-merchants 

 to do it so cheaply; and although there is no way of knowing 

 exactly what the difference would have been had the timber been 

 sold standing, yet, from previous experience, I have no hesitation 

 in saying that we would have got for it much less than the net profit 

 realised. 



I will now make a few remarks on the selling of timber by tender. 

 In certain cases I highly approve of this mode of disposing of timber. 

 For instance, if it is a quantity of oak, or Scotch fir, or any other 

 lot of timber of one class ; but I certainly do not recommend it 

 where a mixed lot is to be disposed of, as all the advantages which 

 I hold are to be gained from classing the timber are entirely lost. 



