CHAPTER XIV. 



THE MARKETING, SALE, AND TRANSPORT OF WOODLAND 



PRODUCE 



COPPICE AREAS. 



WHEN disposing of coppice, the first steps to take are to 

 mark out the area into portions likely to suit the buyers. 

 These portions are variously known as " lands," " drifts," or 

 " hags." They should all be of a given width, as, for instance, 

 I chain wide, and should run parallel right through the 

 compartment from ride to ride. Thus the area of any given 

 length is easy to reckon ; for 10 square chains are equal to I 

 acre. Along each ride the boundary of each " hag " should 

 be marked by a numbered stake so as thus to avoid confusion 

 amongst the purchasers. 



It is very advisable that the coppice be cut by the home 

 staff of woodmen, so that they may be cut close to the 

 ground and with a sloping surface free from jagged edges. 

 When cutting the coppice, the woodmen should throw the 

 coppice, growing along the edge of a " hag," inwards, towards 

 the hag to which it belongs, so as to avoid disputes between 

 the buyers. 



Any large area of coppice should be cut early in the 

 season, in order to ensure an early removal of the produce. 



However, before the coppice is cut, the approaching sale 

 should be advertised, so that intending purchasers may inspect 

 it and form their estimates of its value. 



It is very important that the woodward or forester should 

 render every assistance in showing the lots and in giving all 



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