56 ST. HELENA 



from England, and about 650 Chinese from Canton : the 

 Chinese proved such excellent workmen that some of their 

 work even now remains. They had a Chinese settlement in 

 the grounds of Plantation House, where, until lately, the 

 remains of their joss-house was to be seen. In the Museum 

 are some interesting tiles taken from the joss-house. Their 

 burying-place was at New Ground. 



Beatson shows clearly in his tracts, that the soil was most 

 productive if properly treated. He caused the goats run- 

 ning wild to be destroyed, and made compensation to the 

 people. He states that in 1808 eighty-eight acres in gar- 

 dens and potato grounds was the total cultivation ; this 

 only produced a very scanty supply for the shipping, to 

 which it was sold at most exorbitant rates, the inhabitants 

 (3,600) themselves living almost wholly upon the public 

 stores, and obtaining most of the necessaries of life in pro- 

 fusion, at prices not exceeding one-third of the primary cost. 

 This was checked by Governor Beatson. 



Between the years 1800 and 1808 the imports for 

 these inhabitants rose from 51,030 to 114,961 per 

 annum first cost freight to be added at 30 per ton from 

 India, and somewhat less from England, making the total 

 in 1808, 157,356. This Beatson altered, for he found 

 there had been no sanction of the directors to issue to the 

 people from the public stores at such a low rate. It will 

 be scarcely credited, but so determined were the growers 

 to keep up the prices, that rather than lower potatoes from 

 IDS. or I2S. per bushel, the crops were allowed to rot, 

 and many cart-loads thrown into the sea. The markets 

 in St. Helena are always deranged by the arrival of shipping, 

 and from captains and passengers high prices are demanded. 

 If prices were regulated and kept within certain bounds, 

 industry would be encouraged, and more land cultivated. 

 In 1811 the Government did interpose, and prohibited any 

 one from demanding, or receiving more than 55. for a fowl ; 

 potatoes also were lowered from 125. to 6s. per bushel. 

 The prices in 1810 were beef, is. zd. per pound ; turkeys, 

 325. to 425. each ; geese, 2is. to 255. ; sheep, 405. to 6os. 

 each. 



In the year 1809 tanks or reservoirs were made in stiff 

 clay on the south side of High Knoll, chiefly to supply 



