156 ON THE DIFFERENT MODES OF 



sale saw-mills. Still he has had considerable experience in manu- 

 facturing wood for estate and budding purposes, the result of which 

 has led him to form the opinion that it is not profitable for the pro- 

 ducer to be the manufacturer. If it is desirable that such a mode 

 be adopted, portable machinery must be introduced and used ; and 

 the whole of the work in connection therewith should be done by 

 the piece, as in that way only can a profit be realised. Fixed saw- 

 mills for manufacturing wood for sale may pay well for a few years, 

 or so long as wood is within easy reach ; but the expense of horse 

 work soon comes to be so great that the saw-mill, instead of being a 

 profit, entails considerable loss. Many wood-managers having 

 adopted this method, or finding it in operation when entering their 

 situations, utdise the mill as well as they can, without making any 

 comparative calculation as to whether it is profitable or otherwise. 

 This is not surprising, as it is always difficult to make radical 

 changes and to move expensive plant and machinery. ISTo doubt 

 there are instances where wood has been profitably manufactured by 

 the producer, but these cases are rare, and the successes have in- 

 variably been dependent to a great extent upon local circum- 

 stances. 



A wood manager who has manufactured wood extensively for sale 

 for upwards of twenty years, unhesitatingly states that it is the most 

 profitable mode of disposing of home-grown timber. However, this 

 case is exceptional, as a good road runs almost parallel with the 

 woods, and he has command of sufficient water power. Besides 

 these advantages, there is a special local trade, and he has never had 

 occasion to compete much with wood-merchants in. the open market. 

 It is worthy of notice that, with all these advantages, he has been 

 obliged to keep a stock of foreign wood, to accommodate and keep 

 on his customers. This fact speaks for itself. 



On the other hand, the opinion of one of the most extensive wood 

 managers in the north of Scotland is so decided on the subject, that 

 he sells all the wood in a rough state, and contracts with merchants 

 to supply the manufactured wood required for estate purposes. 

 Where the manufacture of wood is practised, the mode of sale is 

 usually by private bargain, already noticed. It may be added, that 

 all experience goes to prove that wood sales shoidd be made as open 

 and public as possible, especially by foresters or those who are acting 

 for other parties. The expense of manufacturing timber under 

 favourable circumstances and with good appliances generally adds 

 about 75 per cent, to the price of the rough wood. 



