302 SELECTING CIGARS. 



cigar is made of a leaf tobacco well known for its good burn- 

 ing qualities, when properly cured and sweated, burning 

 with a clear, steady light, leaving a fine white or pearl-colored 

 ash, according to the color chosen. These cigars rarely 

 " char " in burning ; certainly not, if made of good quality 

 of tobacco and thoroughly sweat. If a full-flavored cigar is 

 desired, choose the dark colors, and the lighter if a mild 

 cigar is preferable. The lighter the color of the tobacco the 

 lighter the ash and the milder the flavor of the cigar. Light- 

 colored cigars usually burn freer and more evenly than dark 

 ones. In selecting a cigar for its good burning qualities, 

 choose those (if such are to be had) covered with white 

 specks, or white rust ; such cigars burn well, as white rust is 

 found only on well-ripened leaves. Select a firm, well-made 

 cigar one that contains a good quantity of fillers avoiding, 

 however, in Havana cigars, one made too nicely, as it is some- 

 times the case that superior external appearance is made to 

 cover defects in the more important qualities. 



Such a selection will insure a cigar of good quality ; one 

 that will hold fire and last the length of time appropriate to 

 its size. A cigar should not be chosen simply because it is 

 made well, and neither because its outside appearance 

 (wrapper) is fine, both in color and quality of leaf ; rather 

 depend upon the manufacture of the brand. Havana cigars 

 have as many distinct flavors as there are colors of the leaf, 

 ranging from very mild to very strong. 



The first great requisite of a cigar is its burning quality, 

 and the second its flavor ; without the first the latter is of 

 little value. A cigar made from leaf that does not burn 

 freely will not possess any desirable flavor, but will char and 

 emit rank-smelling smoke, without any desirable feature 

 whatever. When both of these qualities are in a measure 

 perfect the cigar will prove to be good. There are two 

 varieties, at least, known as non-burning tobacco, of which 

 we shall speak hereafter. The flavor and burning quality of 

 a cigar always determine its character, and are found in per- 

 fection in those made of fine even-colored leaf. Dark cigars 



