SALE OF TIMBER 291 



(d) Felled (by home staff) ; at a Price per Foot; the 

 contents to be ascertained after the contract to 

 purchase. 



In cases (a) and (b) it is usual for the purchaser to fell the 

 trees ; but this should be clearly stated in the Conditions of 

 Sale. And, in cases () and (d) it should be clearly stated 

 who is to measure the timber, and what is to be measured as 

 timber ; and an arbitrator should be appointed in cases of 

 dispute. 



Now, before discussing the advantages and disadvantages 

 of sales by auction, tender, or private contract, it will 

 be advisable to discuss the merits and demerits of selling 

 timber: 



(i) Standing or Felled. 



(ii) For a Lump Sum ; or at a Price per Foot. 



As regards the former, in a general way it may be stated 

 that mature timber (especially if large) should, usually, be sold 

 after it has been felled. There are, however, exceptions to 

 this rule. Now, if a timber merchant buy timber standing, 

 he cannot be quite certain, even if he knows the locality well, 

 how the trees will " come down." And, therefore, it would be 

 decidedly indiscreet of him if he were to offer a "top" price, 

 and allow himself no factor for safety. So that, if the trees be 

 all sound, the owner will probably lose considerably. And 

 then again, if a merchant, who perhaps does not know the 

 locality, be once deceived by the timber, he is not likely to 

 be a keen buyer on that estate in the future ; and, through 

 his influence, the estate may get a bad name. 



If, on the other hand, the trees be felled by the home 

 staff, he can gauge the quality easily, and a maximum price 

 may be offered. 



However, when once the trees be felled, the owner has to 

 sell ; and, to some extent, he is in the hands of the timber 

 merchant, unless indeed, he converts, or partially converts, 

 the timber himself. It should be remembered that, if 

 timber be left unmeasured for any length of time, after 

 it is felled, it shrinks considerably, and an appreciable 

 loss will thereby be incurred by the owner. But, on large 



