242 TOBACCO PRODUCTION IN THE UNITED STATES. 



As to quality, the crop of 1879 in New Haven county was better than that of 1878, equal to that of 1877, and 

 better than that of 1876. In Middlesex, Hartford, and Tolland counties the crop of 1879 was better than that of 

 1878 or that of 1877 ; and while the crop of 1876 was not so good as that of 1879, it was better than that of 1878, which 

 was rather an inferior one. Hampden county, Massachusetts, reported the crop of 1879 as being better in every 

 respect than those of the two years preceding, and as fully equal to the crop of 1876. The same may be said with 

 reference to Hampshire county. On the other hand, the crop of New Hampshire in 1879 is said to be 20 per cent, 

 worse than those of 1878 and of 1876, and equal to that of 1877. The same is true of the tobacco district in Vermont. 



It may be assumed that in the tobacco-growing area of New England there has been a gradual extension of 

 the area planted in tobacco, and the crop of 1879 shows throughout the seed-leaf district an increase of about 17 

 per cent, over the three years preceding, and that, compared with the crop of 1875, which was a very large one, there 

 was a decrease. 



The crop, though large in area in 1879, did not equal in yield per acre that of 1878 by 10 per cent., and the same 

 may be said with reference to the years 1877 and 1876. The growth for the year 1878 was exceptionally large and 

 the texture good, but a considerable portion of the crop was injured by white veins and pole-sweat. In 1879 a larger 

 amount of Havana tobacco was grown in the counties of Massachusetts than usual, the entire crop of Seed Leaf and 

 Havana being estimated to equal 10,000 cases, though the returns of enumerators would indicate 40 per cent. more. 

 The crop of 1877 had a very large proportion of fine leaf, while that of 1876 was much below an average in quality. 

 Cheshire county, New Hampshire, however, reports the crop of 1879 as 20 per cent, poorer in quality than that of 

 1878, about equal to that of 1877, and 10 per cent, worse than that of 1876. The crop of 1879 was good; on the 

 whole, better than the crop of 1878, particularly the seconds, as there was not so much of it injured by white veins 

 or pole-burn. The product of the Housatonic valley has gained popularity every year on account of its dark color. 



For several years the wrappers of the Connecticut valley, though fine and silky in texture, broad in leaf, and 

 well handled, have been too light, approaching a cinnamon color. 



VARIETIES OF TOBACCO GKOWN. 



The several varieties of tobacco at present cultivated in Connecticut valley consist of Connecticut Seed Leaf, 

 Connecticut Broad Leaf, Havana, Havana Seed, Belknap, and John Williams. The Connecticut Seed Leaf is broad, 

 with small fibers, strong, thin, elastic, and silky, and the leaves are set closely upon the stalk. The best leaves of 

 this variety are used for cigar wrappers and the poor ones for binders and fillers. The Seed Leaf is almost tasteless, and 

 when used as wrappers for Havana fillers does not impair the flavor. The Broad Leaf is only a modification of the first, 

 the leaves being broader in proportion to their length than the Connecticut Seed Leaf, and the fibers run out more at 

 right angles to the midrib. The Havana Seed is grown to a considerable extent, especially in the valley counties lying 

 within the state of Massachusetts. This variety has a very thin, fine leaf, is delicate in flavor, and yields more 

 wrappers to the pound than any other variety planted. Grown in the Housatonic valley, this variety is noted for 

 its fineness of texture and glossiness of leaf, which, after sweating well, has all the softness and brilliancy of a 

 piece of silk; and as it cures a dark color, it is very popular with cigar manufacturers. It can be planted much closer 

 than any other variety. Havana 1s that grown from imported seed ; Havana Seed is that produced after four years. 

 The principal objection to this variety is made by the farmers, who assert that, though the price is greater per 

 pound than for the Seed Leaf, the small yield per acre does not make the crop so profitable, especially in those 

 counties well adapted to the growth of the latter. This, no doubt, is the reason why Havana Seed Leaf is grown 

 in larger proportions in the upper counties of the valley than in the lower ones. In the lower counties the soils 

 produce a wrapping leaf unequaled in fineness by any other grown on the continent. 



The Havana is grown to some extent in the upper part of the Housatonic valley for fillers. In answer to a 

 letter addressed to him on the subject, Mr. Perry N. Hall, of New Milford, Connecticut, says of the Havana Seed : 



It is more generally known in market quotations as Connecticut Havana, and is produced in this way : Seed from the Vuelta Abajo 

 district in Cuba is sown here three successive seasons, and the seed from the third and fourth years is laid up for future field cultivation. 

 It is preferred, as being more leafy than other kinds of Cuba tobacco. The first year it grows small, producing little if any wrapper leaf, 

 but makes a filler for cigars which retains some flavor. It is not used to any extent in field cultivation until the third or fourth year. It 

 will retain its distinctive peculiarities for many years, provided the seed can be grown so as to entirely prevent its mixing with the 

 Connecticut seed tobacco. As this is very difficult, on account of bees carrying the pollen from one plant to another, the plan of laying up 

 and keeping the seed for a number of years is practiced. This tobacco produces fewer pounds per acre than the Connecticut Seed Leaf, 

 but brings a somewhat larger price. It generally sweats to dark colors, and is easily cultivated and harvested. 



The largest variety grown is said to be the Barber, a variety produced by making a careful selection of the 

 earliest plants and carefully trimming the seed stalk of all late blooms. This variety is remarkable for the great 

 size of its leaves, the smoothness of its texture, and the uniformity of its color, and it is highly esteemed for making 

 wrappers. The Podunk has upright leaves, thickly disposed upon the stalk. Another variety of Seed Leaf, called 

 Duck Island, is grown to a considerable extent in the Housatouic valley. It is medium in size, and very fine in 

 texture and fiber. The other varieties mentioned are subvarieties of the Seed Leaf, and are distinguished from it 

 only in the shape of the leaves, and not in the flavor, habits of growth, or uses. 



The quality of these different varieties is greatly affected by the character of the soils upon which they grow. 

 Where the soil is a heavy clay loam, the tobacco grows with more thickness of leaf, and has more gum in its tissues, 



cures a darker color, and will bear sweating better, but is not so well suited for wrappers, because of its comparative 



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