68 



DATE VAEIETIES AND DATE CULTUKE IN" TUNIS. 



geria. The large fruit is remarkable for its unusual shape, some- 

 what like that of some varieties of gherkins, to which it doubtless 

 owes its Arabic name. The flesh is thick and rather firm, yet tender. 

 It is very sweet and has a very distinctive and highl}' attractive 

 flavor. It ripens late in October. Of Boo Fagoos offshoots 16 were 

 imported. 



Tafazweex (p. 101). — {Name spelled by French writers " Tafa- 

 zaouine.") A soft date, 2 to 2|^ inches long, about two-fifths as 

 wide, oblong, tapering slightly from base to apex, bright bay col- 

 ored when ripe, the 

 skin conspicuously 

 marked with short 

 linear scars, the flesh 

 1| to 2 lines thick, the 

 s 1 e n d e r seed about 

 three-fifths as long as 

 the fruit. (Fig. 11.) 

 This variety is com- 

 mon in the Oued Souf , 

 in Algeria, where it is 

 considered one of the 

 best dates of the re- 

 gion." It is also found 

 in the Mzab and Oued 

 Ivirh oases of Algeria. 

 In the Jerid, where the 

 name is pronounced 

 '' Tafazweent," it is 

 extremelj^ rare. The 

 handsome fruit is easily recognized by its long, narrow shape, bright 

 bay color, and curiously marked skin. It is said to ripen in October. 

 The flesh is soft and translucent, like that of the Deglet Noor. It is 

 very sweet and of excellent flavor, in this respect somewhat resem- 

 Ijling Lagoo, l)ut superior. Twenty-one offshoots of this promising 

 variety were imported, of Avhicli onl}^ one Avas obtained in Tunis. 



Fteemy {p. 100). — (Xame spelled by French authorities'"' Ftimi.") 

 A soft date (PI. X, fig. 3), If to 2 inches long, about one-half as 

 wide, oblong, slightly narrowed at both ends, dark purplish maroon 

 when ripe, the surface shining, the flesh soft and sirupy, about 2 

 lines thick, the seed a little more than one-half as long as the fruit, 

 slender. (Fig. 12.) 



o See Bui. SO, Bureau of Plant Industry, I). 20. 



Fig. 11.— Tafazween seeds and fruits. (Natural size.) 



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