FARMERS SHOULD PRACTICE FORESTRY 143 



plants as possible. The foresters recommend 

 that the farmers consult with their neighbors who 

 have sold timber. Sometimes it may pay to sell 

 the timber locally if the prices are right, as then 

 the heavy transportation costs are eliminated. 

 Most states have state foresters who examine 

 woodlands and advise the owner just what to do. 

 It pays to advertise in the newspapers and 

 secure as many competitive bids as possible for 

 the timber on the stump. Generally, unless the 

 prices offered for such timber are unusually high, 

 the farmer will get greater returns by logging 

 and sawing the timber and selling it in the form 

 of lumber and other wood products. The farmer 

 who owns a large forest tract should have some 

 reliable and experienced timberman carefully 

 inspect his timber and estimate the amount and 

 value. The owner should deal with only respon- 

 sible buyers. He should use a written agree- 

 ment in selling timber, particularly where the 

 purchaser is to do the cutting. The farm wood- 

 land owner must always bear in mind that stand- 

 ing timber can always be held over a period of 

 low prices without rapid deterioration. In sell- 

 ing lumber, the best plan is to use the inferior 

 timber at home for building and repair work and 

 to market the best of the material. 



