THE ECONOMIC DISPOSAL OF CONIFEROUS TIMBER. 255 



Further, the facilities for extracting timber should be noted in 

 order that they may be specified in the notices of sale. 



Approximate Survey. 



In cases of valuation of extensive woodlands for purposes of 

 transfer or for rating, other than on the solum value, where the 

 greatest accuracy is not necessary, since the volume of the 

 woodlands alters year by year, it has been found by experience 

 that this method of approximate survey is the most suitable. 

 It entails the callipering of all trees in the wood and arranging 

 them according to species and diameter-classes. The basal area 

 corresponding to each diameter is obtained, these are totalled 

 and divided by the number of trees of each species, which gives 

 the average basal area of the individual of each species. From 

 these the average diameters are obtained, and trees having these 

 diameters are selected as being the average sample trees of their 

 species. These are felled and a stem analysis made of them by 

 cutting into lo feet sections. By this means, in addition to 

 obtaining the exact volume of the stems, the current mean 

 annual increment, as well as the periodic increment are ascer- 

 tained, which latter would be available for quinquennial valua- 

 tion purposes. Further, the grower would be in a position to 

 determine the financial rotation of his crops. 



From the above measurements the volume of timber in the 

 whole wood may be ascertained by multiplying the contents of 

 each sample tree by the number of trees of their respective 

 species and by adding the results. This enables a producer, by 

 sacrificing a minimum number of trees, to arrive at the value of 

 his woods, and to set a reserve price upon them. He is then in 

 a position to oflFer his woods at a time when they are most 

 valuable and when market conditions are most favourable. 



Assortment of Timber. 



Following upon the survey of woods a careful study of both 

 local and distant markets should be made, in order that the 

 timber may be assorted in the most advantageous manner 

 possible. This would entail a knowledge of the dimensions for 

 which there was a good demand, and also of the uses to which 

 the timber might be put. 



The number of stems and the volume of timber in each inch 



