45 



been most gratifying. New land proved to be more desirable for this variety of 

 tobacco, and it was noticed that when trees were left standing in the field the plants 

 shaded by trees were far superior to the plants not so shaded. From this idea of 

 building artificial shade had its birth. It was also found that the plants should not 

 be cut in the usual way, but the leaves primed off just as they ripen, and at a very 

 early stage of ripeness. 



These experiments, while conducted by practical men for their own 

 commercial advantage, have been truly scientific and may well serve 

 as an example for scientific work along economic lines under our 

 experiment stations. 



Just such work as has been done in Florida in the development from 

 the 4 *01d Florida" leaf to the present style of Sumatra wrapper needs 

 to be done in the improvement of the wrapper leaf of the Connecticut 

 Valley. In the first place the Connecticut leaf is too large to be 

 economically used for wrapping cigars. The tip of the leaf has a 

 good grain and good style, but only one wrapper can be obtained from 

 each side of the leaf near the tip which is suitable to go on a good 

 cigar. The remainder of the leaf can be used only on medium and 

 low-priced cigars, and not even on them when the veins are too large 

 and the surface smooth and glossy and without grain or style. Both 

 the Havana Seed and Broad-leaf have too much taste and aroma. 

 These qualities are so strong that they may altogether mask the desir- 

 able qualities of the filler leaf. With some tobaccos they blend very 

 well, but on the whole it is not desirable to have a wrapper of this 

 kind. The Havana Seed-leaf in particular has a peculiar " seedy" 

 flavor which is very characteristic and not at all agreeable to many 

 smokers. The leaf is large, averaging about 26 inches in length. The 

 veins are large, while the lower part of the leaf is so glossy that there 

 is much waste which can not be used in any way in this country. 



There is no question but that the proper line of experimentation in 

 regard to this tobacco is to depart radically from the present type and, 

 as Mr. Floyd says, try to produce as nearly as possible in all essential 

 particulars the Sumatra type of wrapper leaf. Much may be done by 

 following the steps taken by the Florida growers in changing the 

 methods of planting, cultivating, and fermentation, but much will yet 

 remain, probably, to be worked out by the plant physiologist in the 

 selection and breeding for certain qualities. 



The Pennsylvania filler brings from 4 to 8 cents per pound; the 

 Cuban-grown filler pays a duty of 35 cents per pound and sells for 

 from 81 to $1.50 per pound. It would seem that the proper steps to 

 take here are clear \y shown. The matter of the jioid. per acre is rela- 

 tively unimportant, the effect of fertilizers is comparatively small, 

 while the crop sells for so little. The great object to be attained is* to 

 make a radical departure from the present type and try to approach 

 more nearly the Cuban type of filler with the rich, aromatic aroma 



