2GG FELLING AND CONVERSION. 



can it be possible to estimate the probable value of tbe results 

 of the felling, and to expose tbe lots for tbe inspection of the 

 different classes of purchasers. The real object of separating 

 assortments of woods used bj' various industries and consumers, 

 is to obtain the highest possible price for each assortment. The 

 arrangement of the assortments into classes should, therefore, be 

 made on the following principles : — 



i. All pieces which are of different value, and fetch different 

 prices, must be put in separate classes. 



ii. The classes must always correspond to the demands of the 

 locality. 



iii. The separation into classes should depend on differences of 

 species, size, shape, quality, and demands of the market, and 

 these will be discussed in detail further on. 



iv. This separation must not be too minute, or go too much 

 into detail, so that there can be any doubt about the proper 

 classification of any piece, or too much difficulty in calculating 

 and registering the results of the felling. There is a consider- 

 able difference in this respect between valuable pieces of timber, 

 and common sorts or firewood. In the former case, the manager 

 can hardly go too far in subdividing the classes, and a difference 

 of price exceeding hd. per cubic foot should cause a different 

 class of timber to be established. 



A difference of value is, therefore, the chief reason for a 

 difference in class of material. 



2. Detailed Aceouiit. 

 (a) Species. 



The species of tree has a great influence on the use to which 

 the wood can be put. Timbers of different species should, there- 

 fore, be separated into classes, or at least species of equal value 

 should be classed together. The same procedure should be 

 adopted in the case of firewood, or where there are few of them 

 all inferior kinds should be separated from those more valuable. 



Of great importance in sorting felled material is the comparative 

 abundance or rarity of any species. Thus, where valuable oakwood 

 is abundant, the chief point to attend to will be to classify the oak- 

 timber ; in coniferous forests, the spruce or pine timber, and in 

 beechwoods the beech-timber and the better classes of firewood. 



