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 
Dersecuo. The finest quality; the top leaves 
of plant; best because they have re- 
ceived most sunshine and dew. 
Desecuito. Good leaves but inferior to 
desecho. 
Lizra. Good leaves but small in size; the smal- 
4 ler top and bottom leaves. 
Insuriavo. 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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