4 SUGAR 



standpoint. This world, whither we are bound, is 

 widespread, covering a vast area and embracing 

 territory in every continent of the globe. To which 

 of its many industrial centres shall we first make our 

 way ? 



Seeing that British possessions figure prominently 

 in the Sugar World, shall we not naturally make straight 

 for some British centre of sugar-production ? Let 

 us go to British Guiana, the homeland of Demerara 

 sugar. 



It is a fifteen days' voyage from Southampton to 

 this, our only Colony in South America, but we are 

 spending such a festive time on board the Royal 

 Mail Liner which is taking us there, that we have come 

 into the region of the flying-fish and the Southern 

 Cross, and are n earing our destination, before I remind 

 you of the object we have in view. Deck-quoits, 

 athletic sports, cricket and dances on board are all 

 very fascinating, I admit, but we must not forget that 

 eventually we are going to test the enjoyment of our 

 whole expedition to the Sugar World by the amount 

 of pleasure derived directly from seeing sugar grown 

 and made. If you will deliberately turn your back 

 on the ship's alluring attractions, and spare a few 

 minutes to listen to some prosaic facts, I can promise 

 that you will increase your power of appreciating 

 not only Demerara sugar-land, but all sugar-lands. 

 For there are some things which you must know in 

 order to understand what you are going to see, and I 

 am sure you will agree with me that understanding 

 is one source of pleasure. So let us seek a shady spot 

 where we can have a quiet talk. 



