12 NATIONAL l'"i;!. I MANUAL. 





In making a stump scale the total log length taken from each tree 

 should be measured. In most cases where the t res- 

 Stump scales, pass is not over 2 years old the indentation in tin- 

 ground can be seen where the butt struck when the 

 tree fell. From that point, which is often several feet from the 

 stump, to the top, the direction of which can be determined by the 

 undercut on the stump, the total log length can be measured. This 

 should be divided into logs according to the taper table given under 

 "Timber sales Instructions to sealers," and the top diameter of each 

 log ascertained from the same table. The scale for each log may then 

 be obtained from the Decimal C scale stick or the scale table in the 

 Timber Sales Manual. The merchantable portion left in the top and 

 in high stumps should be scaled and noted separately. After scaling 

 each tree, the top of the stump and the butt of the top should be 

 stamped "U. S." 



In cases where the tops can not be identified or have been moved, 



or fire has followed, the scale may be obtained from 



Use of volume a volume table (if one is available for the locality 



and species) by reducing the diameter at the top of 



the stump to diameter breast high. 



Forest officers should use extreme care in scaling trespass timber, 



especially in a stump scale, and should keep complete 



Record of meth- n otes on the method used, since if the case is brought 



into court the scale must be introduced as legal 



evidence. 



When a forest officer discovers a timber trespass, he must first 

 ascertain the exact location and status of the land 

 Action to stop involved, making sure that it is within the boundary 

 of the forest and upon land under the jurisdiction of 

 the Forest Service. To do so it may be necessary to locate the near- 

 est Government corner and run a survey and to obtain the status of 

 the land from the district office or the local land office. He will then 

 serve written notice upon the trespasser, in the presence of witnesses 

 if possible, to discontinue the trespass and record in his notebook 

 the place, names, and addresses 01 those present, and the day and 

 hour of the notification. 



Forest officers, as agents of the Government, may. without further 



instructions, seize timber cut in trespass wherever 



Seizure, author- f ounc ^ even though it may be upon patented land at 



cers tomake the time. If there is grave danger that the timber 



cut in trespass will be removed beyond recovery by 



the United States, all material belonging to the Government will be 



seized. 



Seizure, or recaption, is the right of a person to retake his property 

 in a peaceable manner wherever he finds it. Since 

 Seizure de- tne u n it e d States has the same common-law rights 

 and remedies as an individual, it may, through its 

 agents, exercise the same right of seizure or recaption as an indi- 

 vidual. 



The right of seizure should be exercised with extreme care, since 

 mistaken zeal in this regard may lead to serious complications or 

 subject the Forest Service to the charge of arbitrary action. Seizure 

 may be made only when it can be done peaceably, and it is necessary 



