SALE OF TIMBER 293 



timber than the home staff; and that it will be more 

 economically and efficiently done ; and that the stools will 

 be cut closer to the ground. 



This, however, cannot, generally speaking, be considered a 

 sound argument. 



On very small estates, where the sale of timber is not 

 frequent, it may be the case ; but, on large estates most of 

 the woodmen should be good timber fellers, and the work 

 should always be done by piece-work. The workmen 

 should always be instructed to cut the trees as low as possible ; 

 and, if it is done by piece-work, it will not usually be to their 

 advantage to leave high stools, any more than it is for those 

 who are working for the timber merchants. If the timber 

 merchant buys for a lump sum, it is immaterial to the owner 

 of the estate, whether the trees are cut low down or not. If, 

 however, a price per foot has been agreed upon, the owner 

 will often lose through the manner in which the trees have 

 been cut by the timber merchant. Often big stools will be 

 left; large boughs which are worth los. to 155. each, and 

 which, at a cost of an extra is. or 2s., should have been lopped 

 before the tree was felled, are splintered by the fall of the 

 tree ; and, therefore, not measured. And, then again, much 

 small timber, of 7 inches, 8 inches, 9 inches, and even of 10 

 inches quarter girth, is severed at these girths (instead of 

 being severed at 6 inches quarter girth), and, if the tops are 

 long, the mean quarter girth will perhaps be 5 inches, and 

 the whole is claimed as tops, under timber size, and will 

 not therefore be paid for, whereas, all over 6 inches quarter 

 girth should properly be paid for (or according to the 

 arrangement.) 



It is, therefore, always advisable for all timber to be 

 felled by the home staff, unless it is sold standing for a lump 

 sum. 



As regards whether timber should be sold for a lump 

 sum or at a price per foot, there can be no doubt what- 

 ever that, in nearly all cases, it should be sold for a lump 

 sum. 



In some cases, locally, prejudice exists against this 



