Or this mixture (or wash, as it is sometimes called) one thousand two hundred gallons ought to produce three hundred gallons of low-wines; and the still may be twice charged and drawn off in one day. The method of adding all the melasses at once, which is done soon after the fermentation commences, renders the process safe and expeditious; whereas by charging the melasses at different times, the fermentation is checked, and the process delayed. LET us now complete the process according to the Jamaica method. The low-wines obtained as above, are drawn off into a butt or vessel, and, as opportunity serves, are conveyed into the second still of six hundred gallons, to undergo a further distillation. The steam begins to run in about one hour and a half, and will give, destroy or change the peculiar flavour of the spirit. In truth, it should be a constant rule with the manager or distiller to see that the cisterns are scalded, and even cleansed with strong lime-water, each time they are used; not merely on account of the rum, but also because it has frequently happened that the vapour of a foul cistern has instantly killed the first person that has entered it without due precaution. in CHAP. V. BOOK in the course of the day, two hundred and twenty gallons, or two puncheons, of oil-proof rum, i. e. of spirit in which olive oil will sink; and thus the manufacture, if it may be so called, is complete. There will remain in the still a considerable quantity of weaker spirit, commonly about seventy gallons, which is returned to the low-wine butt. Thus two hundred and twenty gallons of proof rum are, in fact, made from five hundred and thirty gallons of lowwines; or about one hundred and thirteen of rum from one thousand two hundred of wash (r). ་ By means of the apparatus and process which I have thus described, the Jamaica distiller may fill weekly, working only by day-light (a necessary precaution in this employment) and at a small expence of labour and fuel, twelve puncheons of rum, containing each one hundred and ten gallons of the Jamaica standard. The proportion of the whole rum to the crop of sugar, is commonly estimated in Jamaica as three to four. Thus a plantation of the above description is supposed to supply annually one hundred and fifty puncheons of rum (r) Proof spirit of any kind weighs seven pounds twelve ounces per gallon. According to the English hydrostatical table, the cubic inch of proof spirit weighs 9 p.wt. 19.73 gr. troy, or 8.62 dr. avoirdupois. But it has been found that a cubic inch of good brandy is 10 grains heavier in winter than in summer, and that 32 gallons of spirits in winter will make 33 in summer. of II. of one hundred and ten gallons each; or eighty- CHẠP. two gallons of Jamaica proof to each hogshead of sugar; and this return I do believe is sometimes fairly made from canes planted in rich and moist lands; but, on a general estimate, I think it too great an allowance, and that two hundred gallons of rum to three hogsheads of sugar, which is in the proportion of about twothirds rum to the crop of sugar, is nearer the truth (s). (s) This will be better understood by attending to the following particulars :-The general supply of scummings to the still-house is seven gallons out of every 100 gallons of cane-liquor. Supposing, therefore, that 2,000 gallons of canejuice is required for each hogshead of sugar of 16 cwt. the scummings, on a plantation making 200 hogsheads per annum, will be 28,000 gallons, equal to - 4,656 gallons of Add the melasses from the curing-house, which, if the sugar is of a good qua- Total of swects eusasse 16,666 gallons. This, distilled at and after the rate of 12 per cent. sweets in the fermenting cistern, will give 34,720 gallons of lowwines, which ought to produce 14,412 gallons of good proof rum, or 131 puncheons of 110 gallons each. When a greater proportion than this is made, one or other of these circumstances must exist, either the sugar discharges an unusual quantity of melasses, or the boiling-house is defrauded of the cane-liquor by improper scumming. This latter circumstance frequently happens. It should also be observed, that it is the practice of late, BOOK V. THE reader will please to recollect, that in this, and the preceding chapter, the observations which I have made, both concerning the cultivation of the sugar-cane in the field, and the subsequent processes of the boiling-house and distillery, have been drawn chiefly from the practice of Jamaica. Some selection was necessary, and I could refer to no mode of conducting a sugar plantation with such propriety, as to that with which I an. myself practically acquainted.-My next enquiries will relate to the particulars of the first cost of this species of property, to the current expences attending it, and to the returns which may be reasonably expected from a capital thus employed; and here again my estimates will refer chiefly to Jamaica. That there is a considerable variation in some of the Windward Islands, I have no doubt. In St. Christopher's, for instance, some of the lands are certainly more valuable than the very best in Jamaica; but, on the other hand, Jamaica is exempted from the duty of 4 per cent. and has other advantages, which probably make the scale even. with many planters, to raise the proof of rum; thus gaining in strength of spirit what is lost in quantity: and there are managers who make it a rule to return the scummings to the clarifiers, instead of sending them to the still-house. This last-mentioned practice reduces the crop of rum more than one-third; but it is supposed to yield in sugar more than is lost in rum; and if the price of sugar is very high, and that of rum very low, it may be prudent to adopt this method. CHAP. III. Capital necessary in the settlement or purchase of a sugar plantation of a given extent. The lands, buildings, and stock, separately considered.--Particulars and cost.-Gross returns from the property-Annual disbursements.Net profits.--Various contingent charges not taken into the account.-Difference not commonly attended to, in the mode of estimating the profits of an English estate, and one in the West Indies. Insurance of West India estates in time of war, and other occasional deductions. The question, why the cultivation of -- the Sugar Islands has encreased, under so many discouragements, considered and discussed. L A SUGAR plantation consists of three great CHAP parts; the Lands, the Buildings, and the Stock: but before I proceed to discriminate their relative proportions and value, it may be proper to, observe, that the business of sugar planting is a sort of adventure in which the man that engages, must engage deeply.-There is no medium, and very seldom the possibility of retreat. A British country gentleman, who is content to jog on without risk on the moderate profits of his own moderate farm, will startle to hear that it |