Durango semi-weekly herald., 1901-03-25

is not interfered with. and are always
on the alert for poachers and timber
thieves. AT one time poachers did
a great deal of damage in the trout
streams by exploding dynamite cart
ridges in the deep pools and several
have been arrested and sent to pris-
on.
Mr.. Vanderbilt takes more interest
in his arboretum than in his game pre-
serves. 1t is the largest and most
expensive in the world and is the plo-
neer arboretum in the United States,
having more than 100000 trees and
shrubs imported from foreign coun-
tries. and a total OF. about 100000
state of cultivation and are being rap
idly Increased each season. Clifford
Pinchot, chief of the forestry division
of the agricultural department at
Washington, inaugurated this great
work-and he is himself a millionaire
and DIR. Schenck is now head fores-
ter. The latter is at present ensag
ed in building a new arboretum. which
will be an avenue 100 feet wide and
twelve miles long, lined on either side
with the choicest trees of every zone.
DR.. Schenck has school of forestry
here to which graduates of botanical
schools are admitted as students
The profession of forestry is becom-
ing a fad among rich young men, Mr..
Vanderbilt and Mr.. Pinchot having
set an example. 1t is one of the most
healthful and attractive of occupa-
tions. combines pleasure with science.
and is something new in the United
States We have for many years
seen multitudes of rich men engaged
with sawmills and other scientific ap-
paratus in an effort to destroy our for
ests, and it is a hopeful sign that SO
many are now devoting themselves to
the study of the menas of protecting
| and increasing them. If Mr.. Wander
bilt has done nothing else for the ben.
eft of his fellow men, than to make
the science of forestry popular among
people of his class, his money has
been well spent.
1t was the genial climate of Bun
combe county, North Carolina, mid
way between the north and the south
and almost in the center of the tenn
perate zone, with a hot sun, cool,
dry atmosphere and an altitude 90
feet-favorable to plant growth, that
led Mr.. Vanderbilt to establish his
tree farm at Biltmore and begin his
experiments in forestry, which are the
most extensive and successful ever
conducted by private individual. The
cost thus far has mounted into the
millions and the work is only fairly
begun.
1t is impossible to ascertain the ex-
tent of Mr.. Vanderbilt's investment
His mansion is perhaps the most cost
ly in the United States and represents
with it's furnishings. library tapes
tries, pictures, statuary and so forth
several millions of dollars. but il was
an afterthought Mr.. Vanderbilt had
owned the place several years before
he decided to make his home here
and he then set about to build the fin
est house that human skill could de
wise. Richard NJ. Hunt was his archi
teot. Fred Law Olmstead was his
landscape gardener. The house
which is described as of the archtec-
ture of the French renaissance, was
designed after the famous chateau Of
the French king. Francis L., at Blois
with gothic towers and windows.
1t stands upon the edge of a wide
plateau, overhanging a high cliff, is
the most conspicuous object for miles
in every direction. and commands one
- ~, -,
America. 1t sits in the center of a
great amphitheater formed by ranges
of the Blue Ridge mountains, and
twenty peaks rising above G,000 feet
are visible from the windows.
The site was chosen by Mr.. Van
derbilt, Mr.. Hunt and Mr.. Olmstead,
because of this view and the oppor-
tuuities offered for landscape decora-
tion-hence the surroundings, the
rocks and streams, the cliffs and
slopes, the meadows and gorges sub
mitted loyalty to the taste and skill
of Mr.. Olmstead, who for once in hia
life was not limited in his expendi-
lures and was not asked to furnish es-
Inmates of the cost in advance.
The same liberty WAS allowed Mr..
Hunt. the greatest of American ar
chitects, in designing and construct
ing the chateau. which he intended
to be his noblest monument Mr..
Vanderbilt desired him to erect the
highest and purest example of the
architectural art that his genius could
produce. The cost was not consider
ed. The Biltmore mansion was made
to endure forever. 1t is as near indie
structible as human habitation can
be. 1t is built of bricks and steel,
W. as little wood as possible.
1t covers an area of 375 by 1872 feet
and the highest tower rises 10 feet
fIom the ground. The foundations.
twenty feet wide, are made of stone
from quarries on the estate, The
inside structure is of brick, the walls
being never less than two and some
times five feet thick. and the exterior
is faced with Indiana limestone, hand
somely carved-22,740 feet of surface
1