Most of these terms are Spanish, because the 

 cigar trade was for a long time confined to 

 Cuba. 



Terms used to denote the quality of cigar leaf 



DESECHO. The finest quality; the top leaves 

 of plant; best because they have re- 

 ceived most sunshine and dew. 



DESECHITO. Good leaves but inferior to 

 desecho. 



LIBRA. Good leaves but small in size ; the smal- 

 ler top and bottom leaves. 



INJURIADO. Injured leaves; root leaves soil 

 stained and injured by insects. 



Terms used to denote color 

 Note : The color term refers to the wrapper 

 only. Many smokers judge the mildness or 

 strength of a cigar by its outside color. This 

 is a fallacy. The wrapper constitutes only 

 about 2 per cent of the cigar weight. More- 

 over color is no criterion of strength. The 

 darkest cigar may be and usually is very mild. 

 The color is due (1) to the soil, (2) to the age 

 of the plant when cut, and (3) to the length of 

 time of curing and fermentation. As a general 

 rule the lighter the color the more inferior and 

 immature is the tobacco. Cigar smokers should 

 remember this. 



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