The Bottineau courant. (Bottineau, Bottineau County, N.D.) 1895-1929, 1922-07-20

confronted with the problem of when
to sell standing timber and when to
cut it for use on the farm.
Experience has demonstrated that in
some localities it unquestionab1y pays
the farmer better at all times to sell,
particularly the more valuable kinds
of wood. For example, in the central
hardwood region farmers sell their
select yellow poplar trees proftably
and with the money buy and, haul back
to the farm for distances of from
four to eight miles southern pine sid
ing for their houses and barns. On
the other hand, there are too often
instances where n finds choice white
oak Of the best quality, suitable for
veneer or furniture stock sawed up
into posts for the farm.
Keep In Touch With Market.
It would be well for the owner to
keep in touch with market conditions,
so he may market his product to the
best advantage. With rarely an ex-
ception the timber is not dying, decay
ing OF "going back" by fungus or in
sect attack at the rapid rate alleged
by buyers, who, obviously, desire to
buy as cheaply as possible. Unless
it is overmature it is increasing yearly
in volume and value.
Cutting during the early period of
growth, says the United States De-
partment Of Agriculture, often repre-
SCENTS a real sacrifice in financial re-
turns. The approximate age at which
trees should be cut in order to obtain
the highest returns a year Is very
different for different species. Thus
cottonwood, ash, hickory and yellow
poplar become commercially valuable
at much earlier ages than white oak
and black walnut.
When other farm work is least
pressing many farmers find it profit
able to turn their attention to estimat-
ing, measuring, cutting, marketing and
selling their timber. Spare help and
time to supervise the work make the
winter a favorable season for this. It
is easier to haul logs on the snow than
over ordinary roads, and the logs are
less liable than at any other time Of
the year to deteriorate quickly through
attacks Of insects or fungi.
Best Method Of Selling.
The choice Of methods Of selling de-
ponds largely upon the kind of timber
and the owners knowledge of its
value, his past experience and the
condition Of the market. Timber prod
ucts are sold either in the standing
tree or in a more or less roughly man.
ufactured condition. Except when
sold by the lot or lump, sales are
based upon a measure by log scale or
lumber tally or upon individual count
OF units Of designated size or char
acter. 81
=, Timber sold by the lot, boundary, OF
tract is either Jumped off, to include
q designated tract or sold on an acre
age basis. This method has prevailed
all others, particularly in the
rougher and less-settled districts. AS
a rule 1t Is strongly favored by the
because In such a transac-
ton his better knowledge Of both tim |
Der yields and values gives him an
w the average owner. |
Many examples OF the sacrifice by |
the owner Of a large share of the
value of the timber can be found In |
nearly any wooded region. On ac-
count Of greater competition among |
purchasers and a better understanding
ON the part OF the owners Of timber
sales OF standing timber by
the lot or lump are now being made
with better profit than formerly.
In using this method 1t is very Inn
portant, in advance Of the sale, first
TO secure a good estimate Of the guam
tIty, quality and unit value Of each
kind OF product IN the stand: then to
get bids from al many buyers as
possible; and, finally, to have an
clearly specifying the re
in regard to the manner and
amount OF cutting 30 as not to impair
HE producing power OF the forest.
rhe sale may include only trees above
/ specified minimum diameter, or such
as have been previously marked
Dy the owner for cutting. When prop
sriy safeguarded, this becomes one OF
he safest and most satisfactory Of all
methods OF selling and should receive
lll consideration when sales are con-
seInplated.
Plzcs Restrictions.
Selllng by lump eliminates the anx-
ety ana MISUNDERSTANDING attending