TRACTS ON VARIOUS SUBJECTS, &c. 199 



this hill, as well as on the adjoining hill, called " Merriraans," 

 will receive the whole of the rains that fall on a space of several 

 acres. As those hills are mostly covered with grass, the rain 

 water which rnns from their declivities, is much cleaner than that 

 from the more level surface of Ladder Hill ; where, for want of 

 vegetation, the soil is readily loosened, and carried off" by the 

 streams ; which are, at all times, extremely muddy. 



The tank, or reservoir, has been excavated in stiff clay, at the 

 distance of 2800 yards from the new fortifications on Ladder Hill. 

 The prevailing south-east wind, coming down a valley immedi- 

 ately beyond it, keeps the water in constant agitation, and pre- 

 vents it becoming stagnant or muddy. As the descent from the 

 tank to the fortifications is one foot in ten, the stream moves 

 quickly. A cut stone water course has been laid the whole of the 

 distance. At those places where the ground is tolerably even, it 

 is raised about six inches above the surface. The small ravines, 

 or gullies, are crossed by walls, having openings or gutters for 

 the free passage of the rain, under the water course, so as to pre- 

 vent the nmddy water from Ladder Hill, mixing with the purer 

 stream from the tank. The reservoir contains about 4000 tons ; 

 and as it may be expected to be filled twice a year, (during the 

 two rainy seasons) the total annual supply will be about 8000 

 tons. Allowing 10 tons a day for Ladder Hill, there would re- 

 main 4 or 5000 tons for any intermediate gardens ; or for cottages 

 that may hereafter be erected between High Knoll and Ladder 

 Hill. The whole of Ladder Hill, comprising about 300 acres, 

 has ever been devoid of water, and of no value whatever ; but as 

 a few small cisterns at proper distances can be established near the 

 choicest spots of land, they may possibly invite persons to build 

 and to cultivate. It seems to me that the culture of the melon, 

 pumpkin, grape, and all sorts of esculents, might be carried on 



