286 SALE AND TRANSPORT OF PRODUCE 



dealers in big timber who fully appreciate these advantages 

 of co-operation, although, at an auction sale, such is illegal. 

 And, it is reasonable, therefore, to anticipate more spirited 

 bidding and better prices through a sale by auction than by 

 any other method, provided always that there be a good 

 local demand for the coppice. 



Where there are large areas of coppice in any neighbour- 

 hood, it is very advisable to provide a lunch or dinner (by 

 ticket only) for all likely purchasers ; and this should be 

 advertised in the sale catalogue. Especially can this be 

 recommended, if other owners of underwood do not offer it. 

 The sale 'should take place after the dinner. Occasionally, 

 however, the dinner is given after the sale, and is offered, 

 only, to those who have bought one or more lots at the sale. 



If coppice be a drug on the market, and buyers be very 

 scarce, it will often be possible to effect a sale by deferring 

 the final payment until after the purchaser has realised ; but 

 it will be necessary for the owner to take this risk, and not 

 the auctioneer. 



The usual practice is for a deposit of 20 to 25 per cent, 

 to be paid at the sale ; the balance to be paid in from 3 to 6 

 months' time ; and a bond or surety, approved by the 

 auctioneer, to be given meanwhile. 



A considerable discount of 5 per cent, to 7| per cent, 

 should, however, be offered for a cash payment of this 

 balance. 



As regards the conditions of sale, they should be short 

 and concise. They should stipulate, inter alia, that : 



(1) No person advance less than IDS. at a time on any 



bidding. 



(2) How payment is to be effected. 



(3) A fine of 5 for every tree, teller, or store wrongfully cut. 



(4) No horse suffered to go at large upon any land under 



a fine of >i for each offence. 



(5) No dogs 1 to be brought on the land, under a penalty. 



1 Occasionally it is inserted that all dogs brought on will be shot. 

 This is wrong and illegal ; a more rational stipulation would provide for 

 the recovery of a heavy fine from the owner of the dog. 



