Which substance did John Ruffin Green profit from as the founder of Bull Durham Tobacco?

John Ruffin Green profited from bright leaf tobacco as the founder of Bull Durham Tobacco because this particular type of tobacco was especially suited for the production of smoking products, particularly cigarettes and loose-leaf tobacco. Bright leaf tobacco is known for its high sugar content and rich flavor, which contributed to its popularity in the marketplace during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Green's innovative marketing strategies, such as the introduction of pre-packaged smoking tobacco in pouches, tapped into the growing consumer demand for convenient tobacco products made from this high-quality leaf.

The other tobacco types listed, such as cigar leaf and burley tobacco, cater to different markets and product types, with burley being more common in pipe tobaccos and cigar blends, and Virginia tobacco often used in blends but not as the primary product for Bull Durham. This specialization in bright leaf tobacco played a crucial role in the successful growth of Green's company and its lasting impact on the tobacco industry.