408 THE BOOK OF THE LANDED ESTATE. 



it. d. 



Hollyhock-stakes, per 100, . . . . . 30 



Fruit-tree stakes, 10 



Flower-stakes (for pots), 06 



Fence-stakes, . . . . 26 



Yeathers for fence-stakes, 26 



Stack-rods, . . . . ' . 10 



Broom-handles, 20 



Punch-rods, 10 



Hurdles, Is. 4d. each, as described in chapter on Fencing. 



We have also sold the underwood by public auction. The district where 

 the underwood is growing is first laid out into lots of from two to three 

 and four acres each, taking care, if possible, to have distinct boundaries 

 for each lot such as fences, roads, or drains so that there may be no 

 mistake afterwards. These lots are next numbered by driving in several 

 strong stakes along their boundaries, and putting the number of the lot 

 on each. Having had this done, we value each lot by first ascertaining 

 as near as possible the average number of shoots per acre, and this we 

 find by taking a few square yards in several places of each lot ; and find- 

 ing the average number of stakes on them, we calculate for the acre 

 accordingly. The value of the copse depends much on its length and 

 thickness and it is much more valuable if straight. 



We have always sold the underwood on the condition that the pro- 

 prietor's workmen cut it down. We consider this the safest plan, as 

 strangers would not care what they cut, and the stocks of the. shoots 

 might be spoiled for growing afterwards. The underwood ought to be 

 cut during winter, and not later than the 1st of March ; if cut when the 

 sap is in full flow, a great many of the roots will die and others grow 

 very weakly for some time afterwards. 



It may be useful to give a copy of the conditions of sale under which 

 large extents of underwood are sold in the south of England. The con- 

 ditions which are here given are used on an extensive estate in 

 Hampshire, where underwood of from eight to ten years' growth gener- 

 ally realises from 1 to 1, 5s. per acre : 



CONDITIONS of SALE of UNDERWOOD on the ESTATE of 

 S R PARK, HANTS. 



1. The highest bidder to be the purchaser, and if any dispute arise between two or 

 more bidders, the lot to be put up again. 



2. That no person shall advance less than 2s. 6d. per statute acre at each bidding. 



3. The vendor or his agent shall be at liberty to bid once for each lot. 



4. The purchasers to have the underwood cut in a proper and workmanlike 

 manner, two inches from the ground at most (wherever possible), by a slant cut 

 upwards to prevent splitting, leaving all heirs, saplings, holly and all other ever- 



