58 DATE VARIETIES AND t)ATE CULTURE IN TUNIS. 



obtain offshoots in sufficient numbers for commercial plantations. 

 Yet the excellent quality and the large size of these dates would 

 undoubtedly make them marketable at high prices if they could be 

 had. So far as Selatny is concerned, there seems to be little chance 

 of obtaining oifshoots, but the Menakher variety has been introduced 

 in sufficient number to give a fair opportunity for establishing it in 

 this country. It remains to devise some means of speedy propagation 

 by means of smaller offshoots than are generally taken for planting. 

 Perhaps the offshoots can be removed before they have formed roots 

 and then can be nursed in greenhouses until well rooted. The variety 

 is so promising that no pains should be spared in multiplying it as 

 rapidly as possible. 



As regards actual conunercial importance, the Deglet Noor variety 

 is easily first. (Pis. VI, fig. 1, and VIII, fig. 1.) No other kind that is 

 at all common equals it in quality. Its exquisite flavor, handsome 

 appearance, cleanness of skin, and admirable keeping quality give it 

 a deserved preeminence among the dates that are extensively grown 

 in North Africa, and have made it the only Algerian or Tunisian date 

 that is largely exported to Europe and America. Yet it has some 

 serious disadvantages, else it would be hardly worth while to experi- 

 ment in this country with any other variety. The greatest of these 

 is its late ripening, or, in other words, its very high requirement as to 

 total heat, a requirement that can probably be met in but very few 

 localities in the United States. Another drawback is the relatively 

 small average yield of the palms. In both these regards the Mei\ak- 

 her variety appears to surpass the Deglet Noor, while equaling the 

 latter in the quality and greatly exceeding it in the size of the fruits. 



The Boo Affar (PI. IX, fig. 2) is hardly inferior to the Menakher 

 in many of the qualities of a first-class date. Its large fruits have a 

 very fine flavor and very thick flesh, abounding in sugar. It is one 

 of the handsomest of dates, being especially noticeable for its splendid 

 coloring. The large size and unusual, almost perfectly globular shape 

 of the f ronja date (Pis. IV, fig. 1, and IX, fig. 1) will at once attract 

 attention. These peculiarities are associated with great thickness of 

 flesh and a very rich flavor. Unfortunately, not much is known as to 

 the productiveness of the variety. The Boo Fagoos (fig. 10, p. 67) is 

 also remarkable for the form of its fruit, which is somewhat fiddle- 

 shaped and of fairly large size. It has a very rich, attractive flavor, 

 and, like the Tronja, is held in high esteem by the natives of the 

 region where it grows. All three of these varieties offer great possi- 

 bilities as a fancy dessert fruit, commanding a high price in the 



market. 



The Tafazween (fig. 11, p. 68) is the best of the rather long, slender 

 dates examined by the writer. It is decidedly attractive, with its 



92 



