76 



DATE VARIETIES AND DATE CULTUKE IN TUNIS, 



This variety. AA-hich is not common in the Jerid, abounds in the 



Xefzaona. The Halooa of the Alo-erian oases 

 appears to be distinct (see p. 99). It is much 

 like the Lemsy (see p. To), but the fruit is even 

 smaller. It ripens rather early (October 10, 

 accordino; to ]\Iasselot), and is generally eaten 

 fresh, l^ecoming hard and dry when preserved. 

 Because of their simple, wholesome flavor and 

 not excessive sweetness, the writer found it 

 Fig. 19.— outune^f Halooa possible to eat dates such as Lemsy and Halooa 



Bayda seed and fruit. ,.,t . ciji ji'-i- 



(Natural size.) Jiayda much more freely than the rich, sirupy 



kinds. Otfshoots of this variety to the number 

 of ."21, mostly obtained in the Nefzaoua, were imported. 



SOFT DATES. 



MoKii Begry (p. 100). — French orthography, Moukh Begri. The 

 name signifies ''the lu'ain of an ox." Fruit (PI. X, fig. 4) 1^ to 1^ 

 inches long, about three-fourths as wide, broadest at the base and 

 narrowed thence to the broad rounded apex, flattened on the sides, 

 1 >right bay colored when ripe ; the flesh very soft, about 1^ lines thick, 

 rather dark colored, translucent; the seed light brown, one-half to 

 two-thirds as long as the fruit, about twice as 

 long as wide, rounded at both ends. (Fig. 20.) 

 The stalks and branches of the fruit clusters 

 are light orange. 



This is an extremeh" rare and much esteemed 

 variety, apparently occuring only in the Jerid 

 oases. The trees are said not to l)ear heavily. 

 The dates are rather small and liave an unusual 

 shape. The translucent flesh is very soft, but 

 the fruit is said to preserve well. It is very 

 sweet and of delicious flavor, resembling and 

 perhaps equaling the Deglet Noor. The fruits 

 ripen in the latter part of October. After a thorough search only 

 two offshoots could be procured for importation. 



Baydh Hamma^i. (p, JOO). — The name means " pigeon egg." Fruit 

 If to If inches long, three-eights to five-eighths as wide, egg-shaped, 

 broadest near the middle, rather conspicuoush^ blunt pointed at apex, 

 not keeping its shape well, dark chestnut brown with a tinge of 

 maroon when ripe; the flesh very soft and dark colored, about 2 

 lines thick ; the seed one-half to five-eighths as long as the fruit, one- 

 third to two-fifths as wide as long, dark brown. (Fig. 21.) The 

 stalks and branches of the fruit clusters are orange colored. The 



92 



Fig. :i().— Outlines of Mokh 

 Befjry seed and fruit, 

 t Natural size.) 



