146 CORSICA 



in cubic metres by 4-inch (101.6 millimetres) diameter classes. 

 A summary on the same basis is given for the total cutting 

 area, including the 15 compartments. The aggregate volumes 

 are also classified by (a) lumber, (b) dimension stuff, and (c) 

 cordwood. This estimate forms the real basis for the sales 

 price, and, of course, all marked trees are carefully calipered, 

 yet the trees that are fungus infected are estimated as yielding 

 only one-fourth their total volume in saw material. 



For this sale the resin yield per tree and per year is estimated 

 at 1.25 htres (1.3 quarts) for maritime pine and i htre (about i 

 quart) for Corsican pine. Two sets of maps accompany the 

 clauses and estimate — a location map showing the sale with 

 respect to transportation on a scale of 1:100,000; a compart- 

 ment map on a scale of i : 40,000, showing the boundaries and 

 drainage. The road to be constructed by the purchaser, 16,000 

 metres (17,498 yards) in length, is estimated to cost 500,000 

 francs ($96,500) and it is expected that it will take 5 years 

 before profitable logging can be commenced. 



The total of 125,058 cubic metres (4,416,298 cubic feet) of 

 merchantable logs and 60,101 metres (2,122,407 cubic feet) of 

 cordwood actually sold for 225,000 francs ($43,425), but the 

 contractor had to pay stamp and registry charges of 5716 

 francs ($1103.19) and besides obligated himself to build roads 

 costing 500,000 francs ($96,500). This corresponds roughly to 

 paying a lump sum in advance for stumpage at 15.55 francs 

 ($3) per thousand board feet or over 12 francs ($2.32) per 

 cubic metre (35 cubic feet) ($0,066 per cubic foot) standing. 



The minimum price in such sales is made upon the basis of 

 neighboring sales, but the auction price itself may fall be- 

 low the estimate, as in the Asco sale where there was no 

 bidding. 



To estimate the stumpage value of any particular sale, the 

 forest officer figures the cost of putting the timber on the market 

 and deducts this from the estimated returns. In long-term 

 timber sales in Corsica, the contractor's profit is figured at 20 

 per cent, on account of the unusual risk; this is double the 

 contractor's profit allowed in France. 



