RECONNAISSANCE OF MINDANAO AND SULU : III. 369 



Economic. — This country is in such a disturbed condition that very 

 little prospecting has been done, "^liile at Marahui on the north 

 coast of Lake Lanao, I heard reports of copper in the Taraca Eiver. 

 Mr. Ickis and I visited the Taraca Eiver country and panned in the 

 lower reaches of the stream without success, finding neither gold nor 

 copper. The turbulent state of the Moros prevented our following this 

 stream much farther than the limits of the jurisdiction of the datu 

 ■ndth whom we stayed, and to one who knows anything of this district 

 at all, this means that we did not get very far. Mr. Ickis was working 

 toward this country, approaching it from the Agusan Eiver, when he 

 was killed in the Subprovince of Bukidnon. I also heard reports of 

 gold prospects east of Pantar, but they were not being worked at the 

 time we were there and we were advised by the military authorities 

 not to attempt to visit the locality. The only deposit of probable eco- 

 nomic value which I have encountered in this district, so far, is the 

 volcanic ash between Mataling Palls and Malabang. The Japanese 

 have been fairly successful in the use of volcanic ash mixed with 

 Portland cement and the same might be done here. Investigations are 

 now being carried on in the chemical laboratory of the Bureau of Science 

 with a view to utilizing the Malabang deposits.* At Malabang a series 

 of springs of very fine cold water issues from the more porous strata 

 of this ash. 



I have no doubt but that exploration in the Kalintang Eange will bring 

 to light some interesting geologic facts and possibly some of economic 

 importance, but for the present it is terra incognita. 



Before closing the discussion of the Lanao district I desire to refer 

 to the possibility of utilizing the Agus Palls for power. Fairly accurate 

 measurements have been taken of the amount of water passing under 

 Pantar bridge so that we now know approximately the available horse- 

 power. An engineer from the Bureau of Public Works has found that 

 there are 40,000 electric horsepower available here at all seasons. I 

 know the army engineers have calculated the possibility of utilizing 

 this poM'er for lighting the military posts from Camp Overton to 

 Malabang, and also of running an electric line between these two 

 stations. This upland district, in view of its water power, the wonderful 

 agricultural possibilities, and the bracing climate, M-ill one day be peopled 

 by thousands of white men. 



Soil. — As the underlying rock is largely basalt, the soil is naturally 

 rich in iron. It is heavy and quite red when exposed. There is scarcely 

 any timber left in this upland country save in the ranges to the east 

 and south of the lake. I should look upon it first of all as an excellent 

 cattle country and also especially adapted to coffee -growing. 



* Mr. Reibling of the Bureau of Science found that this ash could be used to 

 replace Portland cement to a large extent. It possesses good cementing qualities. 



