Los Baños A short detour can readily be made also at Los Baños (“The Baths”), a town which owes its name and its importance to the hot mineral springs which abound in the neighborhood and have been found to be of great medicinal value especially for the treatment of certain skin diseases and rheumatism. The springs have been known for a great length of time. Even during the Spanish days the town was a much frequented resort, a hospital with pools and vapored rooms having been built as far back as 1571.
College of Agriculture A short distance from Los Baños, and occupying an extremely picturesque side are the palms and buildings of the College of Agriculture of the University of the Philippines, an institution which trains young Filipinos in a calling which must for many years to come be the foundation of the economic prosperity of the islands.
Sprouting coconuts. Pagsanjan, Laguna
Coconut groves, San Ramon Penal Farm, Zamboanga, Mindanao
THE BICOL PROVINCES.—Farther south, are the provinces of Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, and Sorsogon, known as the Bicol Provinces, because inhabited by Bicolanos. All four provinces are noted for their beautiful mountain views and extensive plantations of coconut and hemp. In Albay the forests are extensive, providing timber, rattan, pili-nuts, and gum for export. Gutta-percha and Para rubber trees are extensively cultivated. There are wide pasture grounds for horses, cattle, carabaos, goats, and sheep. The temperature is even and the nights are cool and refreshing. There are also salubrious mineral springs, the best known being the Tiwi Hot Sulphur Springs in the town of Naga.
The Province of Catanduanes abounds in gold, copper, and iron. The Batan coal mines which are being operated are supplying several manufacturing and gas plants. There are quarries of marble in Pantaon; gypsum deposits in Ligao; and lime in Guinobatan and Camalig.
Camarines Norte is rich in mineral resources. Gold is found in many places, exploitation being actually carried on in Paracale. There are also deposits of iron, silver, lead, and copper.
Camarines Sur, on the valley of Bicol River and the Caramoan Peninsula, is noted for its rattan industry. Hemp planting and fishing and coconut growing are the other principal industries.