Before any timber, trees, dead wood, or stumps, standing, growing or being upon lands shall be sold from said lands as is authorized in Section 37-101-141, and before any lands shall be leased for oil, gas and mineral purposes, or other purposes as is authorized in Section 37-101-143, the board of trustees of state institutions of higher learning shall advertise its intention to do so by publication in a newspaper in the City of Jackson, and also in a newspaper published in each county where such lands are situated, such notice to be published once a week for three consecutive weeks preceding such sale or lease, and by posting one notice at the courthouse in the county or counties where the lands are situated. In any county having no paper published therein, the publication shall be placed in some paper having a general circulation in said county. Said board shall sell or lease at public auction, or by sealed bids, at the place designated in said notices, to the highest and best bidder for cash. The board shall have the right to reject any or all of such bids.