SELLING, VALUING, AND MEASURING TIMBER 149 



who buys it to get as much timber for his money as possible. 

 Whether each party succeeds in his aim depends upon a 

 variety of circumstances, a few of which we will endeavour 

 to deal with. 



SALE BY PRIVATE TREATY. 



This method of selling timber is, in nine cases out 

 of ten, the most satisfactory of any if the man who sells 

 knows the value of his timber, and the man who buys is 

 prepared to give its fair market price. By selling in this 

 way, the owner can make his offer to, or accept one from, 

 a respectable timber merchant who has a reputation for 

 honesty and stability. He can make special arrangements 

 for cutting or removing the timber from particular spots 

 to suit the convenience of both parties, or can alter his 

 arrangements to a reasonable extent should the occasion 

 arise, and any difference of opinion can be dealt with 

 privately, and probably amicably. He is able to transact 

 his business with the minimum risk, and the avoidance 

 of dealing with men he knows nothing about. He can 

 withdraw from or add to his original offer in order to suit 

 his own or the purchaser's requirements if desirable, and if 

 subsequent events render it advisable. He sells his timber 

 in full knowledge of the price he is to get for it, and he runs 

 no risk of exposing himself to " rings " or other devices for 

 buying timber below its market value. 



The offerer has the opportunity of bidding for the timber 

 at a price which will enable him to do something with it if 

 he gets it, and, if he really wants the lot, it does not answer 

 his purpose to bid too low, and run the risk of having 

 another man called in to make him look a rogue or a fool. 

 If he bids fairly he will give, in all probability, a sum fully 

 equal, on the average, to that which would be obtained for it 

 if sold by auction. In short, selling by private treaty is free 

 trading in the fullest sense of the word, and is certainly the 

 best method of disposing of small lots of timber at irregular 

 periods when no regular markets exist, and which is growing 

 on land which is easily damaged by careless felling or 

 removal. 



