Flue-cured tobacco is inspected by a farmer and a USDA 

 employee. 



Burley tobacco in flower. 



grades from any type may go into loose-leaf 

 chewing. Cigar tobaccos are air-cured with the 

 exception of a small portion of the wrapper types 

 which is cured with heat to produce a greenish 

 leaf commonly known as Candela leaf. After 

 many years of decline, production is currently 

 around 60 million pounds (27 million kilograms). 

 Exports are around 3 million pounds (1.4 million 

 kilograms). 



The cigar-filler types of tobacco are of medium 

 to heavy body. Their main use is in the core or 

 body of the cigar. For this purpose, the principal 

 factors to be considered are flavor, aroma, and 

 burning quality. 



The cigar-binder types were originally used 

 mainly for binding the bunched filler into the form 

 and shape of the cigar. Natural leaf binders must 

 have good burning quality, aroma, and elasticity. 

 However, practically all cigars now use a 

 reconstituted tobacco sheet for the inner binder. 

 As a result, loose leaf chewing tobacco is now the 

 principal outlet. 



Cigar wrappers are the most difficult and 

 expensive of all tobaccos to grow. They are used 

 primarily for the outside cover on cigars, and 

 leaves must be elastic, free of injury, uniform in 

 color, and have good burning qualities. They 

 should also be very thin, smooth, and of fine 

 quality. In order to produce leaves with such prop- 

 erties, it is necessary to protect them against the 

 sun and extremes of weather. Many of the fields 

 are enclosed with a framework covered with 

 cheese cloth. This cloth screening filters the 

 sunlight and creates an artificial environment 

 favorable to the specialized product desired. 

 These types are commonly called "shade-grown" 

 as descriptive of this method of cultivation. While 

 expensive cigars continue to be made with a nat- 

 ural wrapper, the use of reconstituted tobacco 

 sheet is increasing. 



In addition to the major classes, some "miscel- 

 laneous" types of tobacco are grown. The most 

 important of these is Perique (type 72). It is grown 

 on a narrow strip of land in St. James Parish in 

 Louisiana, and comprises onlya very small part of 

 total United States production. This unique type 

 of tobacco is noted for its pleasing aroma. Small 

 quantities are used in blends in the manufacture 

 of fancy smoking tobacco. Annual production is 

 around 100 thousand pounds (45 thousand kilo- 

 grams), and a large percentage is exported. 



Cigar-wrapper tobacco is grown under cheese cloth. The 

 lower leaves of this tobacco have already been harvested. 



