BILTMORE AND THE NEW ERA 151 
Of the many valuable enterprises of Biltmore, the 
most important to the mountain people has doubtless 
been the preservation and administration of the large 
tract of forest land, more than one hundred thous- 
and acres in extent, connected with the estate, and, 
because it lies partly on Pisgah Mountain, known as 
"Pisgah Forest." Not only were the virgin forests 
of this tract put into trained hands for their perpetu- 
ation and improvement, but the cut-over lands be- 
longing to the estate were reforested and cared for 
according to the best science of the day on the sub- 
ject. The woodland was not only preserved, it was 
utilized, supplying at one time quantities of firewood 
to Asheville, and, as it can bear it, lumber and bark 
are removed for other uses. The forests are traversed 
by roads, — thus making lumbering easier, more 
successful, and less harmful to the prosperity of the 
woods. And what is of utmost importance to the 
people, the trees are scientifically preserved by moun- 
tain men trained for the purpose, these forest rangers 
thus learning the needs and uses of a North Carolina 
forest, a drill whose value in this era when the 
North Carolina forests have suddenly become of 
vast importance and great value, cannot be over- 
estimated in bringing the mountaineer not only to a 
knowledge of forest administration, but to a change 
of mind in regard to the treatment of his own wooded 
land. The North Carolina highland er may be slow 
to take an idea, but once firmly lodged in his mind, 
it is there to stay, and the rapidity with which he 
acts, when once it dawns upon him that a given 
