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most of it is used as cigar filler. It is suitable only for blending wj 

 other cigar leaf, as it is strong and peppery in taste when smoked without 

 blending. Around UO percent of total tobacco grown in Cuba usually is produced 

 in this district. 



Oriente . This district consists of two widely separated areas jln the 

 Province of Oriente, at the eastern end of the island. The tobacco grown here 

 is considered to be the lowest quality produced in Cuba. It is coarse .in 

 ture, with a strong aroma and taste. Almost all of it :Ls classed as cigi'ur 

 filler, although much of it is used in the local manufacture of cigarette^- 

 The remainder is used for cheap cigars or is exported, with Spain the prin^ip&l 

 outlet. As in the Remedios district, the tobacco is stalk cut and one or mcT^ 

 cuttings of sucker-growth may be harvested. Production in this area in rece: it 

 years has accounted for about 2 percent of the total. 



In 1959* there were about 7,000 farms producing cigar- type tobacco in 

 Cuba, located as follows : 



Farms 



Vuelta Aba jo 2,300 



Semi-Vuelta 930 



Partido U00 



Remedios 3A50 



Oriente 230 



Total 7,010 



Production of tobacco is o;i a relatively large scale; the average size 

 farms was a little under 20 acres in 1959* In "the two principal producing 

 areas — Vuelta Abajo and Remedios--tobacco farms averaged about 26 acres 

 21 acres, respectively. In the other three areas, the average size V 

 7 to about 9-1/2 acres . 



Seedbeds are usually started during August and September, and 'ants 

 are transplanted during October and November. Tobacco is usually res' 

 harvest from December to February. Yields very widely between regions. In 

 1959, "the Vuelta Abajo and Partido districts averaged approximately jhs and 

 760 pounds per acre, respectively. In Oriente, the average yield was ar 

 870 pounds, but in the Remedios district the yield was about 7^0 pounds and 

 the Semi-Vuelta region only about 3^0* 



