THE BILTMORE FOREST FAIR 49 



The value of the trees, in 1898, was $2.50 per 1,000' of 

 lumber contained in them. 



Today, the values have trebled. 



In case of doubt, 



Hercules at the crossroads, — 



Stick to the tall timber! 



Tin Mn C/i ^^^^ leaving the carriages, we pass through 

 lip llU, UT" an old field, and by a roof without a cabin. 

 This tract — some 80 acres — I bought at 

 $2.50 per acre in 1901. 



The orchard is used for pasturage, at an annual rental of 

 $10.00. 



It would be folly to reforest it. 



T!t« iLin ETC ^'^'^ '^ ^ second growth, and also a third 

 I III mUi v9 growth, established on a slope from which 

 the trees were cleared, in or about 1840, 

 with a view to the use of the land for farming. 



The second growth consists of Chestnut, Locust, Poplar, 

 Basswood ^nd Ash. 



The third growth consists of Poplar and Ash. We are about 

 to cut the second growth of Chestnut; and you see the piles of 

 timber growing along the road traversed. There has been a fine 

 mast of Chestnuts, this Fall; and the regeneration will be fine. 



TJ ^|_ |"0 -^t tli's point, observe the entire absence 

 I ID no I wU °^ a'^y primeval timber. A fine stand of 



~ Yellow Poplar, forty years old, has sprung 



up spontaneously "after the war" at a time at which this site 

 was abandoned by the squatter. 



I draw your attention, also, to the presence of Ash, Hickory, 

 Locust, Walnut and Sassafras mingling with the Poplars. 



You may ask: "What, Sire of the Woods, do you pro- 

 pose to do in this locality?" 



