fficient strength to
give character to the cigar.

YARA CIGARS.

[Illustration: Yara cigars.]

This variety of cigars is made from tobacco grown on the Island of
Cuba, bearing the same name as the cigars. They are highly esteemed by
those who smoke only this kind, but are not liked by most smokers of
Havana cigars. Most of them are exported to Europe, very few of them
finding their way to this country. It is somewhat difficult to compare
them with Havana cigars, as the flavor is essentially different. In
comparison with other brands made upon the Island, the Yara holds an
unimportant place, yet, in some parts of Cuba, it is preferred to any
other kind. In London the Yara is a favorite with many old smokers,
who use no others. Old smokers describe the Yara cigar as having a
"sweet" flavor, but one unaccustomed to them, like Hazard and others,
pronounce them bitter, and having a "peculiar saline taste." It can,
doubtless, be said with truth concerning the Yara cigar, that unlike
other varieties, such as Havana, Manilla, Paraguayan, Swiss and
Brazil, the taste for them is not natural, but, when once formed,
becomes very decided. As a general rule smokers of Yara cigars think
other kinds are deficient in flavor, and are wanting in quality,
because they lack the peculiar flavor belonging only to Yara cigars.
Be this as it may, we hardly think the Yara cigar suited to the
cigarist's taste at the present time. Its aromatic flavor is not
adapted to the general taste, and some little time is required to
develop a decided love for it. We prefer the "Cubas," made from a good
quality of leaf grown near Trinidad, Puerto-Principe, and other cities
east of Havana. The peculiar flavor of Yara cigars is owing to the
character of the soil, rather than to any artificial process employed
in manufacturing. In moistening Havana leaf Catalan wine is used, and
other flavoring extracts. This may (and does) change the condition and
quality of the tobacco, but even _with_ this treatment, the flavor of
Yara tobacco would be unlike that of Havana leaf.

MANILLA CIGARS.

[Illustration: Manilla cigar and cheroot.]

This well-known variety of cigars is manufactured from Manilla tobacco
grown in Luzerne, one of the Philippine Islands, which is known as
superior leaf for cigar purposes. Manilla cigars have an extensive
reputation, but principally in the East and in Europe. These cigars
are made in various forms and shapes, some of them are c