CUTTING AND LOGGING RULES 297 



Pontarlier (Jura) July 4, 1912, composed of dry, diseased, and wind- 

 fallen trees. At this auction the lot estimates averaged 253 cubic meters 

 (about 60,000 feet board measure and 30 cords) and $1,099.33, with 

 average charges for road upkeep, etc., of $41.69. In this case it is noted 

 that the "charges" amounted to about one-twenty-sixth of the sale 

 value; in other words, a tax of about J^. per cent to be added to the sale 

 price; but the bid is, in theory, 4 per cent lower. This method of mak- 

 ing a charge on the purchaser for the upkeep of roads, for the delivery 

 of fuel, etc., is somewhat similar to the requirements made on the U. S. 

 Forest Service purchasers for piling, scattering, or pulling brush on 

 timber-sale areas; the difference is that in France the "charge" is on 

 the purchaser, so he bids that much less, while in the United States the 

 charge is figured in the appraisal. Out of 65 lots on other forests in 

 the inspection of Pontarlier regular fellings the largest sale made was 

 for 747 cubic meters — the minimum 89 cubic meters and the average 

 289 cubic meters. In the inspection of Saint Die the first 50 sales made 

 on October 2, 1910, averaged 221 cubic meters, with the maximum at 370 

 and the minimum at 116. The material sold both at Pontarlier and at 

 Saint Die was almost entirely fir. In the inspection of Oloron, with oak 

 and beech as the chief species, in sales made in 1911 the average number 

 of cubic meters in any one sale (there were 11 sales that only included 

 cordwood) amounted to 157 cubic meters, with a maximum of 732 cubic 

 meters and a minimum of 6 assigned from those sales where there was 

 nothing but fuel cordwood. This shows clearly how the pohcy of small 

 sales is encouraged in France where conditions make this method possible. 

 Cutting and Logging Rules. — With the sale of timber on the stump it 

 is essential that the purchaser be given very minute directions how the 

 exploitation should be conducted. The central office at Paris accord- 

 ingly issues, from time to time, a printed circular giving clauses and 

 conditions that govern sales procedure and exploitation. The last 

 revision was made May 11, 1912, following closely the issue of June 22, 

 1903, and May 27, 1909. Part III, "Exploitations," of this circular is 

 of interest, and cutting on any timber sale must conform to these general 

 conditions unless the local conservation in which the sale is made has 

 issued ^^ modifications (see p. 298) to the general rules; the essentials 

 are as follows: 



Payments must be made in advance of cutting; partial payments are only allowed on 

 long-term sales. Before cutting begins the ranger must be shown the payment receipt. 



Estimates. — If the purchaser can show an error in the number of trees advertised 

 he is given a pro-rata reduction. 



General conditions. — Timber cannot be piled outside the sales boundaries without 

 special permission, nor is grazing allowed within the felling area. Sawdust and bark 

 must be disposed of as directed. 



5^ See also the different methods in long-term sales, p. 301. 



