MARKING OF LOTS. 93 



Public Auction having been decided upon, it will be 

 necessary first of all to select an auctioneer. The 

 choice should fall upon one who is known to the 

 timber trade, and who thoroughly understands this 

 branch of his business. Having chosen, it will be 

 well to act in concert with him in the preparation of 

 details. The first step will be to set out and mark 

 the lots, whether the sale consists of standing or felled 

 timber. If the former, the lots should consist of a 

 certain number of trees in juxtaposition, and as far as 

 possible of a similar kind. These should having 

 been previously marked by the forester be marked 

 in some way which will render them visible to the eye 

 from all positions ; a ring of white paint is perhaps 

 the best. 



Then on one side the number of the lot should be 

 clearly painted in large figures, and to divide the lots 

 it is a good plan to mark the following one on the 

 opposite side, and so on alternately. In the latter 

 case, the various trees having been drawn together, as 

 described in the last chapter, the lots may be marked 

 with paint on the butts, or a board with a painted 

 number be fastened to a stake close by. The lots in 

 this case should be regularly laid, with the butts 

 pointing one way, and towards the road. 



This work of lotting may be performed by the 

 forester or auctioneer ; if the former has had expe- 

 rience, it will save expense if he undertakes it ; if he 

 has not, he had better leave it to the auctioneer. 



This being done, both the auctioneer and forester 

 should" enter the particulars carefully in their books. 

 These should consist of the number of trees in each 



