FOREST UTILISATION 109 



weeding out of undesirable trees from very young woods may 

 not be directly remunerative, though highly beneficial to the 

 growing crop. 



The purchase price is frequently paid immediately after a 

 sale by auction, in which case discount is allowed ; more 

 usually a deposit is made and security given for the remaining 

 sum payable within a stated time. In the conditions of sale 

 a date should be fixed to limit the time given to the purchaser 

 for the removal of the timber. 



Transport of Forest Products 



The removal of the produce is commonly undertaken by 

 the forest owner's workpeople or those employed by his 

 agents. Transport may be by water or by land, the topography 

 of the country most generally controlling the choice. In both 

 cases the methods vary according to the conditions met with 

 locally. 



Water Transport. In early times, rivers, even with but 

 small preparation to regulate their flow, were much used for 

 carrying down short pieces of timber and split billets these 

 being simply thrown into the water and allowed to drift. 

 The loss of a portion of the material through stranding, 

 theft, and sinking from becoming saturated with water, could 

 not well be obviated, but as good public roads did not exist, 

 there was scarcely an alternative. In districts where suit- 

 able conditions prevail, particularly in mountainous parts, the 

 floating of wood (firewood especially) is practised at the 

 present time. For successful work, a considerable fall in 

 the stream is requisite only then can the wood be expected 

 to proceed downward with sufficient ease, and without undue 

 loss in time and material. 



Dams constructed in order to collect a sufficient head of 

 water to carry down any large quantity of wood are usually 

 necessary. Wood about to be transported is gathered 

 together in the bed of the stream, and on the banks below 

 the dam. All being in readiness, the sluices are opened and 



