Strickland v. Richardson

Lumpkin, J. Richardson sold to Strickland the timber of a certain character on a déseribed tract of land, including trees of which the stump measured fourteen inches in diameter eighteen inches above the level of the ground. Subsequently the seller brought suit against the buyer, claiming that the latter had cut trees not permitted by the contract. The defendant introduced evidence tending to show that the usual and ordinary method of measuring in the lumber business was to take the longer diameter, where the tree was not roundand that where pine trees had been boxed for turpentine purposes, this would change the normal diameter of the tree to some extent. - The plaintiff obtained a verdict. The defendant moved for a new trial, which was denied, and he excepted. [514] 1, 2. The evidence showed that certain timber was sold, including pine trees, which should measure fourteen inches in diameter eighteen inches above the level of the ground. It does not appear that the parties agreed to take a mean diameter, or that the diameter was to be arrived at in any particular mode. The court charged as follows: “You take the diameter of the tree in' as many ways as there are variances in the circumference, and add all those sums together and divide it by the number of diameters that you take, and the result of that would give the mean diameter of the tree.” He gave no charge in regard to the contention of the defendant or the evidence introduced in support of it tending to show that in the lumber business the customary mode of measuring' in such cases was to take the longer diameter, and that this was specially true where pine trees had 'been boxed for turpentine purposes, thus cutting off a part of the tree on one side and changing the length of the diameter measured in that direction. Diameter (from 8m, through, and ¡nerpov, measure) means primarily the measure through, — a right line passing through the center of a body, as a circle, conic'section, sphere, cube, etc., and terminated by the opposite boundaries. As applied to a cylindrical body, it means the thickness of such body as measured on a diameter of a cross-section made perpendicular to the axis. Webster’s Dictionary; Century Dictionary, word “Diameter.” Where a body is not strictly cylindrical, but only approximately so, like most trees, it is evident that the diameters will not be exactly the same length. If the exact mean diameter is the one to be reached, the rule announced by the court would doubtless be a correct one. In the absence of statutory provision or contractual stipulation as to the mode of measurement, the timber should be measured according to the standard ordinarily prevailing, if shown. 19 Am. & Eng. Enc. Law (2d ed.), 546; 25 Cyc. 1560; Heald v. Cooper, 8 Me. 22; Sanderson v. Hagan, 7 Fla. 318; McIntyre v. Rodgers, 92 Wis. 5 (65 N. W. 503). The court erred in confining the jury to ascertaining the mean diameter, and ignoring the contention of the defendant and the evidence in support of it. 3. The exception to the admission of evidence is insufficient to present any specific ground for decision. It complains that the court allowed the testimony of a named witness to be introduced over objection that it was hearsay, “and because the measurements [515] testified about from memoranda not made by a witness was hearsay,” and the measurements were not made as contemplated by the contract. Much of the evidence of the witness is clearly admissible. No particular part is set out as being subject to the objection made. Judgment reversed. All the Justices concur.