14 THE BILTMORE FOREST FAIR 



This illustration shows the work of forest fires; a big Chest- 

 nut is "split open" and "hollowed out." The dead log, in front 

 of the Chestnut, has added to the trouble by feeding the flames. 

 A tape four foot long hangs in the blackened hole. 



The picture is taken in my "virgin forests;" . . . only 

 one tree in a hundred, in the' Appalachians, has not suffered from 

 fires. 



The debris on the ground is a curse to the trees of the moun- 

 tains by feeding^fires; and a blessing to the waters of the moun- 



