332 



to improve the road to the summit of Slide mountain; we have done 

 it so well by going back and surrounding it that anybody can go up 

 easily; we have not spent all of the $250 yet; we ask for $250 more 

 this coming year; it is in the ways and "means comimttee. 



Q. Are you open to engagement as road commissioner in some of 

 the lower regions ? 



A. The people are so much interested in the work you are doing 

 that they do a great deal without charge, and if they make a charge, 

 it is v«ry slight; they know it is for the interest of that part of the 

 country; at least I should think that nearly 3,000 people have been in 

 the habit of going to Slide mountain in the last two. summers, and 

 going to the summit. 



Q. The land that has come into the possession of the State recently, 

 was it formerly occupied for farming purposes? 



A. No, sir; it was used for camping purposes; there is very little 

 of it that was ever used for farming purposes; there are very few 

 cleared patches there, although it is good soil when you clear it. 



Q. Have you had to purchase any of it ? 



A. No, sir; it has been turned- over to us mainly by the counties. 



Q. What is the character of the wood upon it ? 



A. Very good, hard wood; primeval forest mostly; there is quite a 

 good deal of soft wood; there is no lumbering going on there at all 

 except lower down there is some; I know of one saw-mill there right 

 near our deer park, but there is very little hauling of lumber to 

 market, and what is sawed there is for the use of the people in the 

 neighborhood; there is a little used in the winter. 



Q. Have you a residence there ? 



A. No, sir; but I am going to try to get one this summer; I want to 

 have one very much. 



Q. How much land did the State own there when the commission 

 was formed ? 



A. I think they owned somewheres about 40,000 acres in Ulster 

 county, and Since then it has been increased to about 48,000; I don't 

 say positively, but it is -about that. 



Q. I understood from what you said a little while ago — 



A. (Interrupting) We have about 80,000 acres, but it is all in the 

 Catskill region. 



Q. About how much was there at the time of the formation of the 

 commission ? 



A. Somewheres between 50,000 and 60,000; it has increased up to 

 80,000 acres. 



Q, You have got about 20,000 ? 



