LXXII REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. 



Report to Charles Soby by E^ M. Roszellr, foreman of factory, on test of shade-grown 



urappers, MitcheJmn crop, 1901. 



Shade-grown wrappers, as tested under my supervision, will show some remark- 

 able results as to yield of product and of the effect on quality of cigars by their use. 

 By comparison with a like quantity of imported Sumatra wrappers as to yield in 

 product, the difference in favor of the shade-grown wrappers is apparent to all. 



Our test on one bale of shade-grown wrappers of 155 pounds net weight sliows the 

 enormous yield of 85,432 cigars, an average of 29 g^ ounces per thousand. The same 

 stock, as prepared by the tobacco strippers for the workmen's tables, shows an aver- 

 age of 27| ounces per thousand, which includes waste of all descriptions in the strip- 

 ping room. Our tests on imported Sumatra wrappers of same weights show an aver- 

 age of 70,000 cigars to the bale, with greater loss in stem and wrappers in preparation. 



In casing for the stripping room, the shade-grown wrappers take the water very 

 nicelj" and show no bad effects, the wrappers being much easier handled by the caser 

 than Sumatra. It does not become matted, but separates witliout any trouble. 



The workmen find no difficulty in working the leaf, as no loss of time or jiroduct 

 is caused by the use of shade-grown wrappers. The leaf is very plastic, and works 

 well by comparison with other wrappers tested by us. 



The quality of the shade wrappers is excellent, and blends very well with our 

 binders and fillers. I am positive the cigars are improved in quality by its use. I 

 find no trouble with the burn of the leaf in my daily inspection of the wrappers. 

 I have failed to find a single leaf that does not jjurn perfectly. 



As to color, they are not perfect in all respects. I find that about 91 per cent of 

 the stock tested by us was good in color. 



All things considered, the points in favor of the shade-grown wrappers may be 

 summed up as follows: 



First. Greater yield in product. 



Second. Leaves are lighter in weight and color. 



Third. Less waste and cost in preparation for workmen's tables. 



Fourth. Less loss in weight of stems as compared with Sumatra wrappers. 

 Respectfully, yours, 



E. M. ROSZELLE. 



SuFFiELD, Conn., September 4, 1902. 



Deak Sir: It is but right I should advise you as to the working quality of the 

 Connecticut shade-grown Sumatra tobacco, from which I purchased at the sale in 

 Hartford, Conn., on May 1, 1902, 20 bales. 



I have worked in my cigar factory since then quite a proportion of this tobacco, 

 and I am more than pleased with the results. It is finer and better in every way (in 

 color, texture, and flavor) than the imported Sumatra, and the wrapping qualities 

 are enormous; 20 ounces will easily wraj) 1,000 5-inch cigars. I am confident that 

 when cigar manufacturers come to work this tobacco the demand will be far greater 

 than the supply. 



Very respectfully, yours, L. P. Bissell. 



Hartford, Conn., September 1, 1902. 

 Dear Sir: We have been using the shade-grown to])acco, which we bought at the 

 auction held in this city last May, to some extent all summer. We are using it on a 

 small "perfecto" cigar. It wraps with about 2 pounds to 1,000 cigars. The colors 

 have improved a great deal since last spring. It burns well and tastes w^ell. So far 

 we have not had any complaints from any of our customers about the cigars with 

 this wrapper. We should like it better if it had a little more body, because then it 

 would stand the cold weather better. 



Very truly, yours, Leichke & Fletcher. 



