302 SELECTING CIGARS. 
cigar is made of a leaf tobacco well known for its good burn- 
ing qualities, when properly cured and sweated,—burning 
with a clear, steady light, leaving a fine white or pearl-colored 
ash, according to the color chosen. These cigars rarely 
“char” in’ burning; certainly not, if made of good quality 
of tobacco and thoroughly sweat. If a full-flavored cigar is 
desired, choose the dark colors, and the lighter if a mild 
cigar is preferable. The lighter the color of the tobacco the 
lighter the ash and the milder the flavor of the cigar. Light- 
colored cigars usually burn freer and more evenly than dark 
ones. In selecting a cigar for. its good burning qualities, 
choose those (if such are to be had) covered with white 
specks, or white'rust; such cigars burn well, as white rust is 
found only on well-ripened leaves. Select a firm, well-made 
cigar—one that contains a good quantity of fillers—avoiding, 
however, in Havana cigars, one made évo nicely, as it is some- 
times the case that superior external appearance is made to 
cover defects in the more important qualities. 
Such a selection will insure a cigar of good quality; one 
that will hold fire and last the length of time appropriate to 
its size. A cigar should not be chosen simply because it is 
made well, and neither because its outside appearance 
(wrapper) is fine, both in color and quality of leaf; rather 
depend upon the manufacture of the brand. Havana cigars 
have as many distinct flavors as there are colors of the leaf, 
ranging from very mild to very strong. 
The first great requisite of a cigar is its burning quality, 
and the second its flavor; without the first the latter is of 
little value. A cigar made from leaf that does not burn 
freely will not possess any desirable flavor, but will char and 
emit rank-smelling smoke, without any desirable feature 
whatever. When both of these qualities are in a measure 
perfect the cigar will prove to be good. There are two 
varieties, at least, known as non-burning tobacco, of which 
we shall speak hereafter. The flavor and burning quality of 
a cigar always determine its character, and are found in per- 
fection in those made of fine even-colored leaf. Dark cigars 
