"Spanish." This leaf, made into "American cigars," and 

 packed in cedar boxes, became leading sellers in tobac- 

 conists' shops. 



Wr 



rapper Valley 



The new product of tlie Connecticut Valley was soon 

 challenged. Farmers of tlie Ilousatonic \'allcy had gone 

 into the production of Havana Seed. In a little while they 

 developed a far superior leaf. The noted government 

 tobacco specialist and liistorian, J. B. Killebrew, wrote: 

 It is generally conceded by dealers and manu- 

 facturers that tlie finest tobacco for wrappers 

 comes from the Ilousatonic Valley, having all 

 the silkiness of texture and burning qualities 

 of the Connecticut Valley leaf and all the de- 

 sirableness of color of Pennsylvania Seedleaf. 

 In elasticity of leaf, in fineness of face, and 

 richness of color it stands unrivalled, and 

 brings a higher price in the market than any 

 other seed leaf grown in the United States. 



The leaf of the Housatonic Valley had a further, 

 though unexpected, advantage over the Connecticut 

 Valley type. It was of a darker color than the latter 

 and it remained in demand when, unaccountably, Amer- 

 ican cigar consumers rather suddenly showed a prefer- 

 ence for a dark wrapper. This competitive advantage 

 was maintained until the 1880's when consumer taste 

 shifted back to a light-colored wrapper. Thereafter, 

 Connecticut Valley farmers, who had adopted various 



39 



