INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. xli 



was very inferior to that produced afterwards. Of the improved 

 samples some were also forwarded to the Court of Directors, in 

 June 1810, accou)panied with the following otficial report: 



" A box containing samples of tlie second crop of St. Helena 

 kelp, is forwarded by ihe present fleet. They seem to be very 

 superior in quality to any hitlierto sent to England ; and as the 

 persons employed are become more expert in burning, it would 

 be very desirable to have a separate analysis of these samples : 

 for I have many reasons for believing that this export might be 

 carried on to a large extent ; and that it might ultimately be pro- 

 ductive of considerable benefit to this island. 



The success which attended the new mode of burning, and the 

 very small expense at which the barilla may be manufactured, 

 will appear by what Captain Pritchard says on these subjects." 



" 5th July, 1809. 



" On the 30th ultimo I commenced burning the second crop 

 of thesalsola in James's Valley. I had only four labourers ; and 

 on the 4th instant, that is, in five days, the vitrified cakes pro- 

 duced from one pit were taken out, and weighed lOcwt. Iqr. 

 Its quality appears excellent, and is certainly far superior to our 

 former specimens. The expense of collecting and burning this 

 quantity is exactly 25 shillings, or at the rate of 50 shillings a 

 ton. 



The salsola vt'hich was cut down at Sandy Bay between the 

 3d and 9th of April, had again grown to its original size, and 

 fullness, by the 15th of June ; that is, in 72 days, a vegetation 



* Garrison soldiers are usually employed on the public works at one shilling per day 

 extra ; which is an advantage to the Company, and adds to the comfort of the soldier : — 

 for since the prohibition of spirits, this indulgence cannot be abused. If the Cliinese, or 

 other labourers, were employed in the manufacture of barilla, it would cost fnora Lb.AQs, 

 to Z/8. per ton. 



