FELLED TIMBER 267 



would be (say) 8| inches. Thus the contents of the last 22 

 feet of length would be 1 1 cubic feet (if measured in one 

 length) instead of 17 J cubic feet if properly measured. 



A loss of perhaps los. for 2 minutes' work ! 



So again, some logs have no distinct stop, but if the taper is 

 not even and falls away very much after about the length of 

 the bole, it will often be advisable, from the vendor's point of 

 view, to suggest not measuring, in the length, the last few feet 

 of the log, so as to get a greater quarter girth measurement 

 (taken before the taper begins to fall away). 



It should be remembered that there is no commercial 

 immorality in suggesting the taking of the measurements in 

 a certain way so as to work out to one's own advantage ; l 

 but that, according to the custom of the country, no length 

 shall be measured beyond a stop at any single time unless 

 both parties agree. 



In measuring the length, a tape is the most accurate 

 method, though it is rather liable to get entangled and 

 injured, and it takes rather much time. A quicker method 

 is to have an 8-foot rod with the feet marked on it. The 

 length can then be taken by this, and a scribe mark, indicating 

 each rod's length, should be made on the log. 



Great accuracy is, however, necessary in measuring the 

 length with a rod ; as mistakes are very easily made. 2 



No attempt at undue haste in using the rod should ever 

 be countenanced. 



The lengths are generally measured to the nearest foot 

 or half-a-foot ; odd inches being disregarded. Directly the 

 lengths are measured they must be carefully booked. 



In measuring the Quarter Girth, a string is nearly always 

 used except by Railway Companies (in many cases), or if 

 there is a special agreement to measure with a tape. 



1 It will be admitted that in the majority of cases, buyers and 

 merchants whose experience in timber measuring is usually far greater 

 than that of any land agent or forester, are more likely to get the better 

 of any bargaining as to measurements than the latter. 



2 It is very easy to skip a few inches at the end of each rod's length ; 

 so that, unless the rod is used carefully and slowly r , it is far better to use 

 a tape. 



