70 SUGAR 



one grinding season in this island — coincident with 

 the one harvest season — from February to June ; all 

 the sugar has to be made in those few months from 

 the freshly cut canes, but in those few months the 

 factory can easily deal with all the canes brought to 

 it under contract, and so well is it equipped, and so 

 well managed, that it could cope with a considerably 

 larger supply. 



By the courtesy of the manager, we have permission 

 to make an expedition to Gunthorpes, the while it is 

 actively engaged in completing its year's grinding 

 within the prescribed limits of five months. Work 

 is in full swing by night as well as by day, and I have 

 asked leave to take you to the scene of operations after 

 dark, as it will be quite a new experience for you to 

 see life in a sugar factory by night. 



About nine in the evening we set out from St. John's, 

 the capital of Antigua, to drive to our destination, 

 about half an hour distant. M3n?iads of stars are 

 twinkling overhead, and the moon is shining brightly ; 

 not only can we see very plainly that our route is 

 bordered by cane-lands, but we can trace the outline 

 of distant hills, and catch glimpses of a more distant 

 shadowland of mountains. Destitute of mortal habita- 

 tions, of any sign of mortal life, this peaceful country- 

 side as lit up by the nightlights of the sky seems to us 

 an enchanted land. Suddenly our whole attention is 

 engrossed by one spot in the landscape, where brilliant 

 illuminations display a vast building in a wide frame 

 of light, and thrust the beyond into an inky darkness. 

 In a little time our eyes become accustomed to the 

 contrast between the blaze of electric light and the 

 soft glow of moon and stars, and we can again discern 



