VAIUETIES OF SECUJSDAiiV IMPOllTANCE. 



81 



Fig. 28.— Outlines of Zekry seed 

 and fruit. (Natural size.) 



and i-; exported tliroufjhoiit Tunis and Algeria. Of this variety 

 23 oti'shoots were imported. 



Zekky (p. 103).— Also spelled " Zechri." Fruit U to nearly If 

 inches long, about one-half as wide, inversely egg-shaped, keeping 

 its shape fairly well when preserved, bay to maroon when ripe; the 

 flesh about U lines thick, moderately soft ; the seed betw^een one-half 

 and two-thirds as long as the fruit, about two-fifths as wide as long. 

 (Fig. 28.) The stalks and branches of the 

 fruit clusters are orange colored. 



This variety, infrecpient in the -Jerid, is 

 common in the Xefzaoua, where it is in 

 high repute. When [)erfectlv ripe the 

 flesh, although nither thin, is soft and very 

 sweet. The fiavoi- is characteristic, sug- 

 gesting both chestnuts and persimmons. 

 The palms are said to yield heavily. Of 

 this interesting variety 11 offshoots were 

 imported, all from the Nefzaoua. 



KiiALT MooAsiiEM (p. 104 ) .—The name means "tattooed Khalt."" 

 Fruit 1| to nearly 2 inches long: alH)ut one-half as wide, egg-shaped, 

 narrowed from about the middle to the rounded apex, keeping its 

 shape perfectly when preserved, dark prune purple when ripe, the skin 

 mostly adhering very closely to the flesh, conspicuously marked with 

 transverse and longitudinal scars (hence the name) ; the flesh about 



2 lines thick, Arm 3x4 tender; the seed 

 about one-half as long as the fruit, 

 nearly one-half as wide as long, broad- 

 est near the middle, light brown, rough. 

 (Fig. 20.) The branches of the fruit 

 clusters are bright orange. 



A rare variety of the Jerid. The 

 excellent fruit is characterized by its 

 dark prune color, curiously scarred 

 skin, copious flesh, and very sweet, 

 highly attractive flavor. It apparently 

 keeps perfectly. Thirteen offshoots 

 were imported. 

 Khalt Deglaoavia (p. 104).— The name signifies " Khalt resem- 

 bling a Deglet (Noor)." Fruit If to If inches long, about one-half 

 as wide, egg-shaped, narrowed from about the middle to the rounded 

 apex, keeping its shape well when preserved, dark maroon purple 

 when ripe, much of the skin loosened into soft blisters, the flesh 



o Although the word "khalt" is generally defined as meaning a dry date, 

 most of the " khalts " of the Jerid oases which have received special names are 

 60ft dates and often of excellent quality. 

 30618— No 92—06 6 



Fig. 29.— Outlines of Khalt Mooashem 

 seed and fruit. (Natural size.) 



