CONNECTICUT SEED LEAF. 335 



attaining a very large size. There are two principal varie- 

 ties of Connecticut seed leaf, viz. broad and narrow leaf : of 

 these two, the broad leaf is considered the finest, cutting up 

 to better advantage and ripening and curing fully as well. 



CONNECTICUT SBKD LEAF. 



Connecticut seed leaf attains its finest form and perfection of 

 leaf in the rich meadows of the Connecticut Valley, where 

 it has been cultivated to a greater or less extent for nearly 

 half a century. 



The plant is one of the most showy of all the varieties of 

 tobacco. The stalk is straight and large, while the leaf 

 (especially the broad) is admirably proportioned, and the top 

 is broad and graceful, rendering it far more symmetrical in 

 appearance than many of the smaller varieties. 



Before Connecticut tobacco became known as a wrapper, 

 Maryland and Havana -tobaccos were used for this purpose, 

 and when Connecticut first came into use, it was only as a filler. 

 This variety differs very materially from Havana in this 

 respect it has not that fine flavor of Cuba tobacco, but in 

 texture is much superior. The lighter shades of it burn 

 purely and freely, leaving a white or pearl colored ash, which 

 is one of the best evidences of a good wrapper. The leaf 

 25 



