Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1897-07-17
THE BILTMORE ESTATE
"A NORTH CAROLINA WILDERNESS
TURNED INTO A PARADISE.

Unimproyed Tract OF 1000 Acres by
George VanderbiIt-A Princely Man
sion and Miles OF Magnificent Drives
| The Biltmore estate is about two
miles from the city of Asheville, N. G.
1t is i'm the mountains which makes
Asheville so noted as n summer resort.
The estate belongs to George Wander
bilt and contains 1000 acres. More
THAI half of this is in beautiful wood
lands, the remainder in high state OF
cultivation.
1t is impossible to tell how much
money has been spent on the estate
from beginning to end, but it is some
where between $7,OOO,000 and $10,
900, 900, with no end yet to the amount
Of money it will cost the young mill
iopsire. Every day he is spending
money on it, and seems to pay no at
tention to what goes out. When he
gets everything to suit himself, the
estate will be, beyond all doubt, the
most princely in the world. 1t is
probably now the most attractive place
in this country.
Across the French Broad River, in
the heart of the North Carolina Noun
tains, Mr.. Vanderbilt has bought
1000 acres of property. This is unim-
proved, except for mountain shanty
here and there. 1t is thought to be
the intention of the young millionaire
to make great game preserve of this
tract. 1t is not connected with the
estate OH which money is now being
SO lavishly expended. 1t is so noun
famous as to be worthless for any pur-
pose except great game estate.
Work on the Biltmore estate was
begun about seven or eight years ago,
Mr.. Vanderbilt then owning about
one-half of the land now embraced in
his property. He has continued to
buy until the acreage is, Us stated,
1000, Besides the princely mansion
of millionaire, surrounded by hand
some walls and iron fences, there are
many beautiful houses on the estate,
occupied by employees. And here it is
interesting to know that several hun
dred people are employed on the es-
tate. At the mansion itself forty or
fifty people are on duty. Yet Mr..
Vanderbilt does not spend total Of
month each year at the mansion. He
is now in Europe. The salaries of the
employees go on all the time.
The neighbors and the Asheville
friends of the millionaire say that he
is big-hearted, philanthropist and n
benefactor of mankind. Those in his
employ who are faithful and attentive
are assured home under all misfor-
tunes. In case an employe is striken
with serious illness his salary goes on
and his house remains Mt his disposal
Nothing is left undone for his comfort.
Mr.. Vanderbilt is thoughtful and
kind to the farmers. He has taught
them hundreds of new ideas and aids
them in every way possible. He en-
courages them in the improvement of
their stock and the introduction of i'm
proved methods in farming. His over
seers are instructed to aid the farmers
in every way possible. The result of
this maynauimity is that the best class
of cattle are being introduced into the
country and the old red hills around
the estate, heretofore fit only to grow
sprouts and blackberry vines, are
blossoming into cultivated fields. An
inspiration has been set which has had
farreaching effect. Even in the build
ing of mill dams the millionaire has
furnished new ideas.
The farming operations are con-
Quoted under the supervision of men
of scientific knowledge. Every i'm
proved instrument is used. A spleu-
did truck farm is operated. This,
however, has not paid, owing to the
competition of Virginia and Georgia
truck farmers, and is to be abandoned
after this year. Small fruits will take
the place of vegetables.
1t is impossible to describe in a
short article the beauties of the estate.
The most attractive features are the
drives. These have been macada-
mized, the rock being pulverized.
The roads are hard, smooth and firm.
Bicyclists are allowed to use them.
All along these drives the native wild
flowers have been added to by foreign
flowers aud plants. HoneysucSles
wild roses, lilies, daisies, ferns, plans
abound in the wooded portions of the
estate, presenting bower of beauty
which draw from all visitors unbound
ed expressions of delight. Washing
ton Star.