A CHAT ABOUT BEET-SUGAR 21 



" Which is the better sugar," you are wondering, 

 " cane or beet ?" " And which industry is now 

 likely to become supreme ?" 



The first question I put to two experts in turn, the 

 one a Professor who has the interests of the cane-sugar 

 industry close at heart, the other an equally eminent 

 devotee of its rival. From both I received the same 

 answer, which amounts to this : Cane-sugar and beet- 

 sugar are equally good ; the impurities of sugar-cane 

 juice have a pleasant taste and smell, whilst those of 

 beet-juice are unpleasant, but when the sugars have 

 been refined, not one person in a million can tell 

 which is which. Since then, I have asked several lay- 

 folk if they have any preference for either of the two 

 general makes, and in every case but one the experts' 

 statements were endorsed by public opinion. The 

 exception, a housewife, assured me that preserves keep 

 better when they are made with cane-sugar. 



As to which industry is likely to attain a lasting 

 supremacy in the world's sugar-markets, I do not 

 think there is a single authority who would venture 

 to voice a prophecy. Even under fair-play con- 

 ditions, there are so many details to influence the 

 fighting power of the rivals, as you will see for your- 

 selves when we go over cane plantations, beetroot 

 farms, mills and factories. 



Is there any reason why you should take sides in the 

 fight ? 



A little time ago it might have been argued that as 

 Imperialists you should patronize cane-sugar, because 

 our Colonies play such an important part in the in- 

 dustry. Now that England is going into the beet- 

 sugar industry, it looks as if Patriotism were going to 



