THE MANUFACTURE OF TOBACCO. 473 



with more smoking material. In some large factories, 

 however, the "handmade" workman is required to use 

 a shaper, a small mold that will contain and shape one 

 banch while another is being got ready. This workman 

 need not be so expert in his ability to make the cigar of 

 just the required shape from the sense of feeling as is 

 the genuine handmade worker. 



Packing. The filled rack of cigars is taken from 

 the workman's table into the packing room, and the 

 packer, who must be an expert at distinguishing colors, 

 sorts the cigars into the five common colors, the cigar 

 being "stronger" as the color grows darker. The 

 packer also inserts the box scent, then tacks down the 

 cover. 



The Flavoring or Scent. Inferior fillers are often 

 "doctored" with sharp-flavored liquids to improve their 

 taste, such as rum and water, alcohol and water, various 

 sour wines, cider, vinegar, etc. Box scent, so-called, is 

 not necessarily used to cover imperfections, but to keep 

 the cigars, which are sometimes shut up for a long time, 

 and would likely suffer from atmospheric changes, in 

 good flavor and smell. Still, this scent has a good deal 

 to do with the popularity of even fine-grade goods, and 

 the secret of its various combinations is impossible to 

 discover from the manufacturer who makes a popular 

 brand. Various articles are, of course, used, among 

 them being Spanish licorice, rum, lemon, cedar, vanilla 

 bean, the oils of various spices, and so on ad infinitum. 

 Then there are many flavors on the market, but the 

 secret of their manufacture is kept, and while a good 

 deal of these prepared flavors is bought, the ambitious 

 manufacturer is ever on the alert to discover some more 

 popular combination. The packer sprinkles a little of 

 the scent he is required to use in the bottom of the box, 

 or on the top or middle row of cigars. 



The Waste. The bits from the wrappers and bind- 



