day we were enveloped in a dense fog, and tlie tempera- 
ture, from seven in the morning to seven in the evening, 
did not vary a fraction from six degrees centigrade. 
The posada of Termales is provided with a series of hot 
baths, to which the water is laid on direct from the hot 
springs. Many people visit these baths for treatment. 
The water is highly charged with sulphur and it is also 
strongly acid. It no doubt possesses valuable medicinal 
properties for the treatment of certain complaints and 
diseases 
THE DEPARTMENT OF CALDAS. 
Arrival at Manizales. 
On the morning of the 29th the mists had lifted, and 
we were able to get a good view of Manizales in the 
distance. After taking views of these interesting springs, 
we left Termales and commenced the descent down the 
Cordillera. This side of the mountain slope is covered 
with forest land, the lower part containing a good number 
of the Ccroxylon or wax palm. Once clear of the forest 
area we got an excellent view of the Manizales district, 
and the panorama of wide grassy expanses formed a 
welcome contrast to the wild paramos through which we 
had passed. Indeed, the view before us reminded me of 
certain jrastoral regions of Europe. Only when one 
neared the open lands, and came into closer view of the 
Ceroxyhvi palms and other strange features of the vege- 
tation, did the illusion disappear. 
Early that afternoon we reached Manizales, a picturesque 
little citv, with quaint narrow streets, situated on a hill 
side. Many a curious tale this city could tell of the 
difhculties it has found to establish itself ; hills have been 
removed and valleys have been filled, in order to extend 
this or that cnlle^ or carrera.- Lagoons or small lakes, 
over which once plied small canoes, have disappeared 
before the builders’ lust. And now stands the capital of 
the Department of Caldas, with a magnificent cathedral 
and public buildings, and many beautiful private houses ; 
the latter are, however, frequently marred by the almost 
invariable custom of devoting the ground floor to a shop. 
Here we halted several days in order to rest our animals, 
and make methodical preparations for the tour through 
the Deirartment. We found the Government officials 
most obliging and helpful, especially the Governor, 
Dr. Pompilio Gutierrez, and his indefatigable Secretary, 
Dr. Gerardo Arias Mejia, who arranged Committees in 
Manizales and in the provincial towns to assist us in our 
mission. 
Manizales. 
The city of Manizales was founded in 1849, it is situated 
at about 2,140 metres above sea-level on a hill overlooking 
the plateau of Ruiz, and has an average temperature of 
about 16 degrees centigrade. The population of the 
municipality, according to the census of 1918, numbers 
41,146. 
Industries and Commerce. 
'riiere are several important .banks established in the 
citv, and other respectable banking establishments repre- 
sented. There are also a considerable number of import 
and export houses. 
According to official publications, there are 6 Irilladoras 
or coffee cleaning mills ; a Hour mill ; 5 tanneries ; 4 
chocolate factories ; and 80 sugar-cane mills, of which 
14 are moved by wniter power and 66 by animal power, 
which produce in the year about 3,400,000 kilos of crude 
brown sugar or panda. Tliere are also turn electric plants 
for the production of light, heat and power. One is the 
property of tlie municipality, and has water power capable 
of producing 1,500 horse power, though the plant opera- 
ting produces only 400 h.p. 
In addition, there are manufacturing establishments for 
the following articles : candles, nails, coffee, matches, 
cloth, soap, cigars, cigarettes, 
cloth hats, biscuits, aerated 
waters, boots, also saw and 
planing mills. 
Manizales is a progressive 
town, being the central market 
for minerals and agricultural 
produce of a considerable 
region. It is not however 
connected by rail or water with 
any other centre of commerce. 
When, however, the transport 
cable now in construction 
connects Manizales with the 
Magdalena valley, and the 
Caldas Railway reaches its 
terminus, Manizales will be 
connected with the central 
trade aidery of the Republic 
and also the Pacific Coast, 
which should bring a new era 
of prosperity to the whole 
Department and its capital. 
Dairy Farming. 
On this great plateau there 
are magnificent cattle lands, 
especially suitable for dairy 
farming. There is a consider- 
able demand for dairy produce 
in Manizales, and although 
Normandy cattle have been 
imported with good results, 
the fine dairy breeds, Jersey 
' Street. ■ Avenue. 
Fig. IV.— Grazing Lands near Manizales. 
The Bull in the Foreground is a Cross with an Imported Breed. 
8 
