72 COCOA 



CHAPTER XIV 



WE VISIT BOURN VILLE 



To see how cacao beans, or, as they are commonly called, 

 "cocoa" beans, are transformed into cocoa essence, 

 chocolate powder, plain chocolate, fancy chocolates, 

 and numerous other good things, we must visit some 

 modern factories which aim at turning out for mortal 

 consumption products that merit the ancient name of 

 " Food for the Gods." 



By the courtesy of Messrs. Cadbury Brothers, 

 Limited, we are about to make a tour of their " Factory 

 in a Garden." Afterwards, there is the treat in store 

 for us of a visit to the factory of Messrs. J. S. Fry and 

 Sons, Limited, at Bristol. 



Leaving Birmingham, the metropolis of the Midlands, 

 a fifteen minutes run by train brings us to Bourn ville. 

 Near ing the station, we suddenly feel we have been 

 wafted into a stretch of open country that is very far 

 removed from the noise and bustle of city life. As we 

 step out on to the platform, wend our way down the 

 steps and emerge into the village highway, that im- 

 pression is intensified into a sense of wonder. Can it 

 really be that we are feasting our eyes on picturesque 

 buildings set in gardens ablaze with flowers and dotted 

 about in a boundless park ? 



A few hundred yards from the station we come upon 

 a lodge. Remembering the clearly worded directions 

 that accompanied our invitation to Bournville, we 

 pass through the creeper-decked porch. At the 

 wicket window of the inquiry office we mention our 

 names to a commissionaire, and quote from our letter 



