KSTIMVi IX<i THK YIELD. 205 



value that of all other logs in the class is regulated, according 

 to variations in length and thickness at the butt-end. 



In the Kinzigtal of the Black Forest, which has been 

 renowned for centuries for its fine logs, a silver-fir log 20 

 meters (65 feet) long and 46 centimeters (LS inches) at the 

 butt-end, is considered the standard. 



In many regions of the Southern Alps, in the same way, 

 butts 12 15 inches in largest diameter are considered 

 standards. Thus traders speak of 2 pieces of 10 12 inches, 

 4 of 8 10 inches, 8 of 68 inches as equivalent to a standard, 

 whilst butts of 15 IS inches are considered equivalent In I. 1 ., 

 and larger butts to 2 standards. A similar custom prevails in 

 Norway where a standard eonlains about 2.] tons of timber.* 



It is clear that such a method greatly facilitates trading, for 

 the price of each class is a multiple or part of thai of the 

 standard log and rises and falls with it. At the same time it 

 is much simpler to calculate prices by the, cubic contents, than 

 where a few millimeters in the diameter of the butt give rise 

 to a considerable difference in prices. Besides, it is evident 

 that traders must have experience in the method before! they 

 can understand all its refinements thoroughly, and tin's gives 

 local traders a considerable advantage over would-be com- 

 petitors from a distance. This naturally reduces competition 

 and prices. Hence the method is falling into disrepute;, and 

 will probably be replaced gradually by that which employs 

 the cubic contents. 



(b) Piled Lots. With the understanding that poles and other 

 small classes have been duly placed in lots, all that has to be 

 done here is to count the numbers of lots of each class and enter 

 them in the book. They are reckoned also in cubic meters. 



When for instance the forest-manager enters half a hundred 

 second-class hop-poles in his book, their volume is known, 

 for from the class-tariff the dimensions of a second-class hop- 

 pole are known and therefore how many such hop-poles go to 

 a cubic meter. 



The cubic contents of poles is measured in the same way 

 as for logs, but evidently this need be done only in a few cases 



* [In the timber- trade, standards usually represent plunks, thus tin- London 

 standard is 1 I'M x 12 ft. :} in. x '. in. deals. Tr.] 



