C lasses 4-6, cigar leaf types , are classified according to the principal 

 use of the tobacco — as filler, binder, or wrapper. However, wrapper types may 

 be used for all three purposes, and some 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 cured with heat to produce a greenish leaf com- 

 monly known as Candela leaf. Production is declining and is now about 73 mil- 

 lion pounds. Exports are around 2 to 4 million pounds. 



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 princi- 

 pal 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 injurv, uniform in color, and have good burning qual- 

 ities. They should also be very thin, smooth, and of fine quality. In order 

 to produce leaves with such properties, it is necessary to protect them 

 against the sun and the extremes of weather. So the fields are enclosed with 

 a framework covered with cloth (fig. 5 ). 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. Most cigars continue to be made with a natural 

 wrapper but the use of reconstituted tobacco sheet is increasing. 



Figure 5. -Aerial view of shade tobacco tent and barns in Florida 

 - 7 - 



