VALUE OF COPPICE PRODUCE 229 



The above example shows the small value of coppice in 

 the absence of any special market. If the underwood had 

 been cut by the home staff, the saleable value would of course 

 be increased by the IDS. reckoned for cutting it. 



So also, occasionally, an owner may convert his own 

 coppice, and thus save the dealer's profit, but such a course 

 will seldom be advisable, as it requires a life-long experi- 

 ence to dispose of the made-up produce of coppice to 

 the best advantage. It may be objected that 4, los. is 

 a very large profit for the dealer, considering the small 

 value of the gross receipts. But it must be remembered 

 that it is not all profit, and that the dealer has consider- 

 able risks, and would prefer not to be burdened with the 

 trouble of converting unless he saw his way to obtaining a 

 fair profit. In cases where the produce is more saleable, 

 he would not look for a much greater profit perhaps 

 another pound or two for he would be subjected to greater 

 competition. 



Thus, when hop poles are required, it is still possible to 

 obtain from 4 to 7 an acre for 1 6-year-old coppice. So 

 again, in the neighbourhood of turning factories, where toys, 

 chair legs, etc., are made, from 6 to 10 an acre may be 

 expected for well-grown coppice, 16 to 18 years old. Or, 

 where pit props are in demand, 10 to 16 an acre may be 

 obtained for coppice, 22 to 25 years old. 



However, all other things being equal, the distance from a 

 consuming centre is the determining factor regulating the 

 price. 



And in a general way it may be stated that if the produce 

 has to be hauled by road, a depreciation will be witnessed 

 amounting to 155. to i per acre for 1 8-year-old coppice, for 

 every single mile by which the coppice area is separated 

 from the consuming centre. 



In cases where there are large areas under coppice for 

 which there is perhaps only a very poor sale, landowners 

 could in many cases increase the demand by initiating or 

 rendering financial support for the starting of some local 

 industry ; such, for instance, as the manufacture from 



