The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-01-08
CIGAR BOXES.

Woods From Which They Are Made
and Bow They Are Manufactured.
From the Providence *. H. Journal.
It was few days ago that the purchaser
of u cigar in a downtown tobacco store put
the question: "Why is cedar always selected
as the best wood for cigar boxes" You
might put the same query to 100 Cigar man
ufacturers or dealers and the thousands OF
smokers, and beyond the reply that it is the
"most suitable" and that cedar is always
used, not one can tell you the true reason.
Cedar is used because 1t is the most porou'
wood, is easily dried, and can be out and
nailed better and quicker than hard wood
into boxes, but the principal reason is be-
cause Of the flavor which is contained in
the essential oil with which cedar is satu-
rated. The flavor of the oil evaporates
freely and has the most beneficial
effect upon any brand Of tobacco.
For the manufacture Of cigar boxes wood
is shipped from distant climes, and large
portion Of it comes from countries south OF
the United States From an old boxmaher
IL is learned that the best wood, the largest
and finest In color and quality. comes from
the south coast of Mexico. The Cuban
cedar which is old enough to be of good size
is even in demand at high prices, but the
wood from only young trees comes 10 ibis
country and is used 70 some extent on ac-
count of its cheapnesi. The large trees OF
the Cuban and Mexican interior are brought
to the coast with too much difficulty, ana
cost much more getting than to markeT.
Within a short time the cedar market nes
haen much depressed, because manufacture
ers of cheap cigar boxes have found 1T prac-
ticable TO use stained and grained wood In
imitation of genuine cedar for cheap boxes.
The grain is pressed in the wood while 1t Is
rnnninr through rollers, and the imitation
is nearly perfect, except the peculiar aroma.
An old navig 4tor, who has sailed among
the West Indies and Central American
states, has observed that CEDAR grows III
forests. singly or in clumps of three or four
troes and these trees are very often fifty TO
100 Yards apart, and they frequently grow
in conDauy with mahogany. Some OF THESE
traas are Of little use and unfit for furniture,
ond Inv reason of their coarse grain and
bo rdnsss are uusuited for cigar boxes.
Peinp so far apart is is troublesome to get
them out of the woods after they are CUT
In the majority of instances speclAi rOau-
yyav has TO be made through the IoIesV'
through which the logs are dragged 10
nai,hboring creek. Once hel 3 the logs are
launched and flcated to marked. some OK
The trees have to be hauled from three 20
6fteen miles. and the launchings are not
always success hul. ...,,o,,o,, rs,
1t is a strange people that is empioyeo DJ
the owners of the forests to do the cutting
NJ trees and general work. On some planta~
tioDs indians are hired as choppers. They
are iT maid from IS cents to so cents per day in
Werioo and Central America, and the men
16o engage them generally manage it go
hat hat nothing is left after purchasing sup
n r,I and tools. All of this is deducted from
the paw, and if anything is left the 10 posses JeS
usually gamble it away. IL Is IN ene ~
season that the Indians ia9 sa ,SoD' sets in,
wbich is in the fall months or about TINS
season Saso Ct the year. the creeks and rivers taJ
begin beqin to swell, and the timber is hoated