198 TRACTS ON VARIOUS SUBJECTS, &c. 



SECTION XXIX. 



Means of collecting Water on the driest Parts of the Island, and Observations 

 on the Advantages resulting from this Practice. 



In the year 1809, I made an attempt to introduce the Indian 

 mode of forming tanks, or reservoirs, by means of a mound or 

 embankment. It seemed very practicable ; but the soil not 

 being sufficiently tenacious for retaining water, the first trial did 

 not succeed ; a second, however, was completely successful, and 

 affords a positive demonstration of the practicability of retaining 

 water, collected during the rains, in even the most barren and 

 driest parts of the island. 



This had long been a desideratum at St. Helena ; and as 

 nothing tends more to general improvement of a country than the 

 introduction of water in those places, capable of cultivation, 

 which are destitute of natural supplies of this element, I shall 

 here give an account of the successful method which has been 

 carried into effect ; and which already has rendered a considera- 

 ble portion of land fit for habitation and other useful purposes ; 

 which, before the formation of the reservoir, had always been 

 considered as barren and unprofitable. This reservoir was origi- 

 nally intended for the supply of the soldiers composing the 

 garrison of Ladder Hill ; who, ever since a military post was 

 established there, had been stinted in the supply of water, on ac- 

 count of the laborious task allotted them of bringing it in kegs 

 from James' Town. To relieve them from this fatigue, and to 

 furnish an adequate supply, a tank has been formed on the south 

 side of High Knoll, which, by means of small channels cut on 



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