VARIETIES OF MINOR IMPORTANCE. 



83 



Abundant in the Jorid, and occurs also in tlio Nofzaoua. It is one 

 of the varieties most widely exported to other parts of Tunis and 

 Algeria. Flavor nutty, a<rreeal)le, but not very characteristic, typ- 

 ical of the dry date class. Matures in October (the 20th, according 

 to Masselot). Number of olfshoots imported, 7, all from the Jerid. 



Remta (p. 98). — Also spelled liemtsa (probably a misprint). 

 Fruit li to If inches long, about one-half as wide, oblong, somewhat 

 pointed ( blunt h') at the apex, generally distinctly constricted a lit- 

 tle above the base, dark maroon colored when 

 I'ipe; the flesh about 1 line thick, rather 

 tough; the seed one-half to two-thirds as 

 long as the fruit, a little less than one-half 

 as wide as long. (Fig. ;i;i) The stalks and 

 branches of the fruit clusters are briaht 



Fig. ;ii.— Outlines of Bayjoo 

 seed and fruit. (Natural 

 size.) 



orange. 



Occurs in the Jerid, especially at El Ham- 

 ma, but appears to be uncommon. Is readily 



distinguished from other dry dates by being 



generally distinctly constricted a little above 



the base; hence resembling Boo Fagoos (see p. 07) in shapp. Flesh 



firm, moderately sweet, with an agreeable flavor reseml)liiig that of 



Thaby (see p. 75), to which this variety appears to be closely related. 



Said to ripen early (in ()ctol)er) and not to be injured by autumn 



rains. Number of offshoots imported, 10. 



Hamra (p. 98). — The name means "red." Sometimes called 



Hamraia (referring to the tree rather than the fruit) .» Fruit 



14 to 2 inches long, about one-half as 

 wide, egg-shaped, tapering from near the 

 base to the rounded apex, bright pur- 

 plish maroon when ripe, the colors very 

 handsome ; the flesh 1 to 3 lines thick, be- 

 coming quite firm, the dark-colored outer 

 zone thicker than the white central por- 

 tion; the seed two-thirds to four-fifths 

 as long as the fruit, generally about two- 

 fifths as wide as long, sometimes with 

 strongly developed wing-like ridges on 



the sides. (Fig. 34.) The stalks' and branches of the fruit clusters 



are orange colored. 



Fairly common in the Jerid and the Nefzaoua, occurring also in 



Algeria. Is one of the largest and most showy of the dry dates. 



Much resembles Horra (see p. 71) and surpasses it in brightness of 



o Hamra Bischry (or Becbry) is said by some of tbe natives of tbe Jerid 

 to be identical witb Hamra, altbougb described in Algeria as a soft date. Tb^ 

 " Hamraya " Qt tbe Mzab oases is also descTibetJ ^s a soft date, 

 93 



Fig. S3.— Outline.s of Remta seed 

 and fruit. (Natural size.) 



