The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-09-11
CEDAR FOR CIGAR BOXES.
Hunt for q Now Source of Supply Made
Necessary by the War in Cuba

Hunt for q Now Source of supply Made
Necessary by the War in Cuba.
Vessels come into New York every week with
carRoes OF cedar. but since the troubles began
in Cuba their trips have been heightened by q
good many hundreds Of miles. The best cedar
for cigar boxes comes from Cuba, and when
this source OF supply was shut off quite an im-
portant industry was built up in the Bay ano
River. about thirty miles from Panama. h
royal cedar Of Panama comes nearer to rivals
ling the Spanish cedar Of Cuba than any here
tofore discovered. 1t has a strong. penetrating
odor. Is very bitter In taste. OF a pronounced
red tint. and rich in medicinal properties.
For many years manufacturers OF cigar boxes
used only the Spanish cedar. cut In the districts
where the best Havana tobacco was raised. All
other cedar when made up into boxes tended to
spoil good cigars. but the Spanish cedar not
only helped the cigars to retain their flavor. but
even improved it. The cedar found growing on
the keys off the Florida coast was excellent for
making lead pencils. but 1t was useless for
cigar boxes. Besides deteriorating the cigars
by its peculiar odor, the gum In II melted when
exposed to the heat, and caused considerable
trouble. When the war with Spain began the
common cedar In the South was used. In Mex
leo a variety Of cedar Crews that makes a fair
substitute forthe' Spanish cedar. but 1t Is ruin
GUS to pack nrst-c!ass Havana cigars In boxes
manufactured from 1t. For the cheap trade 1t is
all right. and smokers Of cheap brands OF cigars
would never notice the peculiar flavor the wood
imparts to the tobacco. formerly. when the
Spanish cedar was so cheap and plentiful. the
makers OF cheap brands OF cigars always packed
them In good Spanish cedar cigar boxes to inn
prove their quality. Cigars thus packed for q
few months would have a delicate aroma which
smokers would attribute TO the tobacco. but
which was due entirely to the flavor OF the
The cedar forests OF the United States were
never so extensive as those in South and Gem
trial America; but in recent years the drain
are rapidly disappearing. The most valuable at
one time were those on the islands and Keys OIL
the Florida coast. One OF the largest lead PEN
Gil companies In the world acquired tho right
to the best OF these cedar islands, and 1t has been
systematically denuding the forests ever since.
out of the cedar trees that fifty years ago
clothed these keys.
Almost the same is true Of other cedar forests
In this country. The mountain slopes q TEn-
nessoe and other Southern States were at one
time clothed with vast stretches of beautiful
cedar trees, But they have been going very fast.
In Tennessee the bucket factories use annually
100000 fea I OF cedar lumber; 100000 feet
go each yepr 10 81. Louis for fence posts. and
the Telegraph and railroad c3mpahies nse
The famous cedars az Lebanon are the most
durable OF all the cedars. but the tree is OF little
value commercially outside OF its native habitat.
1t Is cultivated In Europe for ornament and a
few speclmrl5 are in existence IN this country,
IL can he grown in pnrks and gardens, but 1t
does not thrive under natural conditions in
the United States. The wood Of the tree Is
fragrant. but 1t is not as strongly scented as
the red ceuar OF. America. The wood is oi a
reddish white color, and sometimes tho grain
Is so close that II can be carved. AS to its dura-
S SaTE y mention m : 16 shto9 ny t pc m nord6 OF re G,tb bs91 ss}
cedar Of Lebanon.