Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1897-05-21
PARADISE OUTDOOR.

This is what Hsrper's weekly Writer
Finds In VermOnt---HIs Description of
the Forest and stream club Preserve
ut Wilmington.
A writer in Harper's Weekly, G.. T.
Ferris by name, regards the mountain re-
gion of Vermont as furnishing almost UNI
equaled opportunities for the preservation
of game and fish on large scale. The
mountains clothed to their SUBMITS with
forests, the wide plateaus between the diff
ferent peaks, the multiplicity of small
streams, and the great number of ponds
and lakes of the purest water are charac-
teristics found in such profusion and ex-
tent nowhere else within easy reach of the
large cities. In picturesqueness and ro-
mantle beauty the Vermont region is ri
vailed only by the mountain district of wes-
tern North Carolina, For these reasons
this writer believes the day to be not far
distant when the mountain and forest re-
gion of Vermont will be dotted all over
with game and fish preserves owned by
private individuals or clubs. He has an
exaggerated idea of the extent to which
the forest lands of the state are crowding
upon the arrears of cultivation, and about
the types of primitive life which prevail,
as when he says, for instance, that Zone
sees mostly grizzled locks and wrinkled
faces. Many of the mountaineers, living
within 10 miles of railway, have never
ridden behind locomotive" But his
general estimate of Vermonts opportuni-
ties for outdoor life and enjoyment OH
large scale is correct. If he had come to
Windham county he would have found at
the HOughton deer park in Halifax an
ideal example of how private preserve
may be established at very moderate cost.
Mr.. Ferris gives this description of the
Forest and Stream clubs preserve and out
fit in Wilmington:
The Forest and Stream Club.
"The Forest and Stream club, located
near Wilmington on the eastern slope Of
the Green Mountain, comprises about 20
members, hailng from the whole country
east of the Mississippi. While the site
does not share the savage wildness and Sc
cusion of the locality described above, it is
not inferior in qualities of varied and pic
turesque charm, with its contrast of height
and intervale, lake, meadow and forest.
Extensive buildings provide for the mem
bershp and its women folk and young peo-
pie, adding the luxuries of the summer
resort place to the eXhilarating pursuits of
outdoors. Several artificial ponds and
many natural brooks, well stocked with
speckled beauties, invite the rod; and the
woodland thickets, under the charge of a
competent gamekeeper, testify how great
ly artificial breeding can increase the nat
ural stock of game where the conditions
are favorable. Bears, deer, foxes, gray
squirrels and rabbits wander at their own
will in the club forests and on the noun
tain-side close at hand. A tish-hatchery is
speedily added to the facilities of the club,
with separate ponds where trout can be
raised to the length of six inches before
being turned loose to earn their own liv-
ing. At the edge of the property lies the
romantic Haystack pond, at the base of
the mountain of the same name, one Of
the most beautiful lakes in the state. From
the top of the mountain, 5000 feet high
may be seen the White mountains, the
Adirondacks, the Catskills, and the match
less Berkshire Hill, dotted with shining
towns and villages, making a ravishing
coup d'oeil.' The success of this club,
now seven years old, in the preservation
of fish and game, and in protecting its
rights against the poacher and pot-hunter,
makes it prominent example of what may
be done on a great scale throughout the
state