HAVANA TOBACCO. 



473 



seemingly trying to accommodate themselves to the soil and 

 climate, and in consequence resemble in a measure the variety 

 commonly cultivated. Growers of Havana tobacco in the 

 Connecticut valley 

 can testify to this, and 

 especially to the in- 

 creased size of the 

 plants. There are, 

 however, growers of 

 Havana tobacco, who 

 claim that it will 

 never deteriorate in 

 quality, and that seed 

 from Havana is not 

 required in order to 

 secure the delightful 

 flavor of the Vuelta 

 de Abago leaf. Our 

 experience is the re- 

 verse of this, and ap- 

 plies more directly to the flavor of the leaf than the size, 

 color, or texture. In the Connecticut valley Havana leaf 

 retains in a remarkable degree the texture and color of leaf, 

 but not the flavor. Fresh or new seed is required from time 

 to time. Sieckle says on the choice of seed : 



" The selection of seed is one of the principal conditions 

 for raising good tobacco, especially when intended for the 

 manufacture of cigars. In the United States now and then 

 Havana seeds are planted. The tobacco raised therefrom 

 generally resembles the real Havana in shape and color of 

 leaves. But in order to reproduce approximately also the 

 fine taste and flavor of genuine Havana tobacco, it would be 

 required to impart to the soil exactly the components which 

 constitute the famous tobacco-ground, viz.: tne Boil of the 

 above-mentioned Vuelta^ de Aba/jo in Cuba. We say approx- 

 imately, because the climate is a thing that can be neither 

 transplanted nor fully equaled by artificial means. Havana 

 seed propagated in the United States usually degenerates 

 very soon, even in the course of two or three years. In 



SPANISH SEED TOBACCO. 



