Fragment of the Fourth Part of Dr. Higgins's 0Bservations and Advices for the Improvement of the Manufacture of Sugar and Rum: Volume 7

Fragment Of The Fourth Part Of Dr. Higgins's 0Bservations And Advices For The Improvement Of The Manufacture Of Sugar And Rum, by Bryan Higgins, is a Jamaica-authored technical pamphlet published in 1803 that continues Higgins’s investigations into improving rum manufacture. The fragment emphasizes empirical, science-informed methods for the still-house, including fermentation control and flavor quality. It argues that dunder use is unnecessary and sometimes detrimental, and it champions hydrometers and thermometers as the main tools to standardize setts, balance sweets, and maximize spirit while minimizing waste. It describes the Jamaica hydrometer in detail, explains temperature corrections, and presents a simpler Jamaica Flydrometer as a cheaper alternative. The text provides practical instruction for teaching illiterate workers to measure setts by hydrometer, with step-by-step demonstrations and proportional calculations for adjustments when molasses quality varies. It also includes a description of a kiln for drying coffee and notes about accompanying plates and printers’ advertisements. The work reflects colonial plantation priorities: optimize production, ensure consistent revenue, and improve the sensory qualities of rum.