HAVANA TOBACCO. 473 
seemingly trying to accommodate themselves to the soil and 
climate, and in consequence resemble in a measure the variety 
commonly cultivated. Growers of Havana tobacco in the 
Connecticut valley 
can testify to this, and 
especially to the in- , 
creased size of the #4, 
plants. There are, 
however, growers of 
Havana tobacco, who 
claim that it will 
never deteriorate in 
quality, and that seed 
from Havana is not 
required in order to 
secure the delightful 
flavor of the Vuelta 
de Abajo leaf. Our 
experience is the re- 
verse of this, and ap- 
plies more directly to the flavor of the leaf than the size, 
color, or texture. In the Connecticut valley Havana leaf 
retains in a remarkable degree the texture and color of leaf, 
but not the flavor. Fresh or new seed is required from time 
to time. Sieckle says on the choice of seed :— 
~ “The selection of seed is one of the principal conditions 
for raising good tobacco, especially when intended for the 
manufacture of cigars. In the United States now and then 
Havana seeds are planted. The tobacco raised therefrom 
generally resembles the real Havana in shape and color of 
eaves. But in order to reproduce approximately also the 
fine taste and flavor of genuine Havana tobacco, it would be 
required to impart to the soil exactly the components which 
constitute the famous tobacco-ground, viz.: the soil of the 
above-mentioned Vuelta de Abajo in Cuba. We say approx- 
imately, because the climate is a thing that can be neither 
transplanted nor fully equaled by artificial means. Havana. 
seed propagated in the United States usually degenerates 
very soon, even in the course of two or three years. In 
SPANISH SEED TOBACCO. 
