38 SUGAR 



atmosphere is charged with Western enterprise and 

 activity. 



So vivid are the impressions made by life in the 

 Demerara cane-fields, that it is impossible to imagine 

 time can ever fade them, or distance rob them of one 

 iota of their enchantment. 



CHAPTER X 



A VISIT TO A DEMERARA SUGAR FACTORY 



We are going to visit the largest sugar factory in 

 Demerara, an establishment that is not only dis- 

 tinguished for its size and output, but for its up-to- 

 date machinery and methods. The sugar estate of 

 which it forms such a vital part is known as 

 " Diamond," and embraces many estates that have 

 now been grouped under one management. Planta- 

 tion Diamond, the most extensive sugar estate in 

 Demerara, covers a vast area on the east bank of the 

 Demerara River, on the outskirts of Georgetown. 

 Factory Diamond is situated about an hour's drive 

 distant from the city. 



The way to the factory is along a road teeming with 

 picturesque scenes, and occupying the foreground of 

 a magnificent display of tropical vegetation. True, 

 the whole spectacle is arrayed on a dead level arena ; 

 but flat country hath its charms, as everyone knows 

 who has visited Holland or the Norfolk Broads, 

 and the mudlands of Demerara that have been trans- 

 formed into sugar-cane land can hold their own with 

 any flat lands in the matter of fascination. 



