10 DATE VAEIETIES AND DATE CULTUEE IN TUNIS. 



As a result of the first visit to the oases, it was possible for the 

 writer to decide iij)on the varieties that seemed most desirable for 

 introduction into the southwestern United States. To procure these 

 varieties a second trip to the region was made for the Office of Seed 

 and Plant Introduction and Distribution in February, 1905, and three 

 weeks were spent in collecting and packing the offshoots. In all 

 about 700 offshoots, representing 56 varieties, were obtained, and it 

 required a caravan of 90 camels to transport them to the railway. 



The importation of so large a number of varieties was thought 

 desirable, because it was recognized that date culture in the United 

 States is still in the experimental stage, and it is impossible to fore- 

 see as yet what varieties will prove most satisfactory. It is quite 

 possible that some of those which thrive best and are most esteemed 

 in their native countries will not succeed with us. On the other hand, 

 varieties that are less esteemed at home may develop valuable quali- 

 ties when transplanted to this continent. Furthermore, in view of 

 the great diversity of climate and soil existing in the parts of the 

 United States where date culture is possible, it seems altogether 

 probable that different kinds will be found adapted to different sec- 

 tions. In that case the existence at some few central points in the 

 Southwest of large collections of varieties will prove to be of cardinal 

 imj)ortance in the development of this promising industry. 



For these reasons, an effort was made to secure a few suckers of 

 every well-marked variety of any value, while, of course, especial 

 endeavor was directed to securing a larger number of each of the 

 finest and most highly esteemed sorts. In a few cases the latter aim 

 was not realized, owning to the rarity of the palms and the reluctance 

 of the natives to part with the suckers. Of the superb Menakher 

 date, for example, one of the principal objects of the expedition, 

 only nine offshoots could be obtained, and most of these were smaller 

 than could be wished. Yet at least a few offshoots were imported 

 of all but one variety of primary value, and only two or three of the 

 varieties that were regarded as of secondary value are wanting in 

 the collection. It might be added that at the time of writing (Oc- 

 tober 1, 1905) from 75 to 95 per cent of the palms imported from 

 Tunis six months previously are showing signs of growth in the 

 different plantations in Arizona and California. 



The chief object of the present report is to furnish descriptions 

 of the Tunisian varieties imported into the United States, so that 

 they can be identified hereafter. It is recognized that owing to the 

 large number of varieties that have been introduced during the past 

 five years much confusion in regard to the identity of the different 

 sorts is likely to arise unless some attempt is made to place their 

 characters upon record. To this end a descriptive key has been 



92 



