RAILWA;Y RATES 323 



And then again, in fairness to the companies, it must be 

 admitted that the timber in the round occupies a great deal 

 more space per actual cubic foot than square timber. 



It is urged by some that the bark should be carried free of 

 charge, but there seems no justification for such an assertion. 



Having regard to the foregoing facts, it would seem that, 

 speaking generally, the railway companies' charges are 

 perfectly fair, except in the preference given to foreign 

 boards, battens, and deals, and also the preference on pitwood 

 (consigned direct to a mine), and on telegraph poles, scaffold 

 poles, etc. (in many cases). 



THE USES AND THE PRICES OP TIMBER. 



In dealing with the prices obtained for timber in the 

 wholesale market, it is impossible to give more than an 

 approximate estimate of the value ; for so much depends 

 upon the local markets, the distance from a converting and 

 manufacturing centre, the accessibility of the timber, the 

 quality of the timber, and so on. Then again, it is of great 

 importance to have a good knowledge of the various uses to 

 which timber is put ; for this will often reveal the demand, or 

 otherwise, of any particular timber in any particular locality. 



In all cases the cost of haulage and extraction must be 

 carefully considered. 



With reference to the prices quoted hereafter for timber, 

 for which the general market has no special demand, such, for 

 instance, as Oak burrs, Walnut, Box, Lime, Cherry, it will 

 invariably be the better plan for the vendor's agent to 

 endeavour to place such timber in its special market, and so 

 to obtain a better price. It involves much extra trouble, 

 but such extra trouble will be amply repaid. 



Occasionally, also, it will pay to place some of the more 

 common timbers in the hands of the converters. For 

 instance, good Beech might be "slabbed" and sent to the 

 chair-making districts, and so on. 



The following list will show some of the chief uses to 

 which timber is put, and also the prices that may be expected, 



