Gently rolling hills enclose valleys with sides sometimes steep and precipitous and sometimes gently sloping.  The country is watered by numerous streams bordered by magnificent tree-ferns, and by trees, shrubs, and plants requiring a large amount of water, while the dry hillsides bear noble pines standing at wide intervals and often arranged as if grouped by a skilled landscape artist.  During the rainy season they are covered with ferns and orchids, while exquisite white lilies, larger than Easter lilies, dot the hillsides.  The dense cogon of the Philippine lowlands is absent.  Bamboo grass or runo occurs sparingly in the immediate vicinity of streams and springs, but the hills are covered with a short grass seldom more than knee high, so that one may ride or walk over them in almost any direction with comfort.  A system of excellent horse trails affords communication with neighbouring provinces where one may see wonderful tropical vegetation, magnificent scenery, strange wild peoples, and the most remarkable terraced mountainsides in the world.  These regions may be visited with safety and comfort, as public order is well-nigh perfect and rest houses have been provided at reasonable intervals on all important main trails.

The delightfully cool climate of Baguio makes active outdoor exercise enjoyable, and insures the speedy restoration to health and vigor of persons suffering ill effects from tropical heat, or recuperation from wasting diseases.  Open fires are comfortable morning and evening throughout the year, and the pitch pine wood burns beautifully.  Except during typhoons the rainy season weather is delightful.  When one wakens in the morning the atmosphere and the landscape have been washed clean.  The air is clear as crystal, and mountain peaks fifty or seventy-five miles away stand out with cameo-like sharpness.  The needles of the pines fairly glisten and their delightful odor is constantly in one’s nostrils.  The whole country is green as a lawn.  Roses, violets, azaleas, “jacks-in-the-pulpit,” and several kinds of raspberries and huckleberries, all growing wild, make one feel as if back in America.  One may visit the neighbouring Trinidad valley and see cabbages and coffee, bananas and Irish potatoes, flourishing on one piece of land.  Strawberry plants imported from America bear continuously from December to May.  Fresh vegetables of all sorts tickle palates which have grown weary of the eanned goods of the lowlands.

Anywhere from twelve to three o’clock, the clouds begin to roll in and heavy showers fall, usually lasting until nine or ten at night.  Then the stars come out.  The next day is like its predecessor.

After the first rains, which usually come about the middle of April, there is as a rule a month of beautiful weather with very little precipitation.  Then the rains begin to come steadily again, and keep it up until the end of the wet season, falling in the manner already described so that one can get one’s outdoor exercise in the morning, while the afternoon showers are conducive to industry.