A VISIT TO A DEMERARA SUGAR-FACTORY 45 



tents of the pan are discharged into a tank below. 

 The substance at this stage is known as " masse-cuite," 

 and consists of crystals mixed up with a syrupy residue 

 called " molasses." The compound is a sticky, dark- 

 coloured mass, which does not bear the slightest trace 

 of resemblance to golden, Demerara sugar. Yet in a 

 few seconds, by a simple operation, it is transformed 

 into familiar aspect. 



All that remains to be done is to separate the crystals 

 from the molasses. For this purpose the masse-cuite 

 is discharged into centrifugals, circular receptacles that 

 have a network lining of very fine mesh. Herein it is 

 whirled round at lightning speed, with the result that 

 the liquid part of the mass is forced through the 

 meshes, and the crystals are left high and dry. In a 

 golden shower they tumble out into a conveyer, which 

 runs them up to the store, ready for packing and ship- 

 ment. 



The sugar leaves the store via a chute, dropped from 

 the upper floor to the ground-floor. A weighing- 

 machine stands beneath its lower mouth, which can 

 be opened and shut, as desired, by a slide. Empty 

 sacks take their turn on the weighing-machine, and as 

 each one gets its fill of 250 pounds it is removed and 

 securely fastened. With little or no delay, the bulging 

 sugar-bags are sent to Georgetown, whence they are 

 taken in cargo-boats to the world's markets. 



Factory Diamond, one of the finest sugar factories 

 in British Guiana, employs some 200 hands to make 

 and manipulate its enormous output of about 17,000 

 tons of sugar a year. Roughly speaking, half the 

 factory operatives are coolies ; the other half, coloured 

 natives of the Colony. Most of the labourers are adult 



