172 ON DIFFERENT MODES OF DISPOSING OF 



growing timber by means of a pole and strap. They argue that an 

 experienced judgment and practised eye are more to be depended 

 upon than a deceptive pole and strap. If those using the pole and 

 strap were to discard the eye and judgment, there might be some 

 force in this reasoning, but as they do not, the whole argument falls 

 to the ground. I speak from experience when I assert that there is 

 seldom a difference of 5 per cent, in the measurements of the various 

 purchasers, and when the lots are afterwards tested most of them are 

 actually within 5 per cent, of the truth. In my opinion no amount 

 of experience will qualify a forester to calculate the contents of 

 growing timber as accurately when trusting to the eye alone as when 

 assisted by a pole and strap. I admit that there is a great waste of 

 time in the most expeditious way of measuring growing timber, but 

 if the trees are sold growing they must be valued in some way, and 

 no better plan seems hitherto to have been adopted than that prac- 

 tised in the south. If a sufficient staff of men are employed on 

 the estate, I would strongly recommend the timber to be cut and 

 prepared for sale by the proprietor's own workpeople. This obviates 

 the necessity for measuring growing timber, which can be done 

 more expeditiously and correctly after the trees are felled. On 

 many large estates, however, this is not practicable, as the quantity 

 of timber annually sold is out of proportion to the number of wood- 

 men employed. When such is the case, the usual way of getting 

 over the difficulty is to sell the timber growing, under such condi- 

 tions and reservations as will protect the vendor against wilful 

 damage, and ensure the timber being cut and cleared away within a 

 specified time. The following'are our conditions of sale for disposing 

 of growing timber : — 



Conditions of Sale. 



1. The timber to be sold by the lot, the highest bidder to be the 

 purchaser ; and if any dispute arise between two or more bidders, 

 the lot in dispute to be put up again and resold. 



2. No less a sum than 10s. shall be advanced at each bidding 

 under L.20, and 20s. above that sum at each bidding, nor shall any 

 bidding be retracted. 



3. The purchaser of each lot shall, immediately after the sale, 

 sign a contract, and pay into the hands of the auctioneer a deposit 

 of 20 per cent, on the amount of the purchase money, giving suffi- 

 cient and approved security within ten days from the day of sale, 

 for the payment of a moiety of the remainder on the 29th day of 



