DECEMBER, 1903, TO DECEMBER, 1905. 189 



15000 to 15210— Continued. 



15040 K hall Moo'islu'iii. 



A second-i-lass "soft" date; fniit Ij; to IJ inclirs lon<i:, about one-half as 

 \vi<le, efrfr-sliapcd, iiarroweil from about tlie iiiiddle to the rounded apex, keep- 

 ing; its sliajie perfectly wiien presi-rveil; dark iiriiue purple when ripe, t hi- skin 

 mostly ailherin<^ very elosely to the tlesli, I'onspicuously marked with trans- 

 verse and lonjiitudiiml scars; the fiesh about L' lines thick, firm yet tender; 

 the see<l about one-half as lonjrastlu' fruit, nearly one-half as wide as long, 

 broadest near the middle, Ii<rlit brown, roujjh. The braiu'hes of the fruit clus- 

 ters ai'e l)ri^ht oranj^e. 



The excelk'Ut liuit is characterizeil by its dark prune color, curiously 

 searre<l skin, copious soft Hesh, and very sweet, highly attractive llavor. 

 Apparently keeps perfectly. 



15041. Kliaroolii/, or Khurronhi. 



A third-class "soft" variety; fruit about 2 inches long, le.ss than two-tilths as 

 wide, oblong, often somewhat wider near the apex than elsewhere, between 

 l)ay and maroon colored when ripe, the surface shining; the skin conspicu- 

 ously loosened and remaining light yellow; the Hesh 1 to 2 lines thiclc, rather 

 soft and dark colored; the seed nearly three-Cifths as long as tln' Iriiil, one- 

 tliird as wide a-< long, geni'ially somewhat curved. The stalks aM<l i)ran(hes 

 of the fruit clusters are orange colored. 



Flesh of the ripe fruit of the consistency of jelly, moderately sweet, agree- 

 able in flavor, resembling Lagoo. Said to preserve well. Ripens in October. 



15042. Ksrhn, or (?) Kessebi. 



A second-class "dry" variety; fruit about lo inches long, two-thirds as 

 wide, ovoid or oblong-ovoid, widest below the middle, purplish maroon or 

 bay when ripe; the flesh 2 to 2i lines thick, lirm but tender; the seeil very 

 nearly two-thirds as long as the fruit, two-lifthsas .wide as long, russet brown. 

 The branches oi the fruit clusters are dee}) orange. Tlie foliage is character- 

 ized by having few sjiines and these are slender and weak. 



Tiie fruit, Avhich ])reserves well, is very sweet and well flavored, in the lat- 

 ter respect being intermediate between Horra and Lagoo. Its fruits ripen in 

 October. 



15043. Laijoo. 



A second-class "soft" date; fruit nearly 2 inches long, four-ninths as wide, 

 oblong, tapering slightly to the apex, more or less curved, bay to light maroon 

 colored when ripe, the surface somewhat shining; the flesh about 2 lines 

 thick, rather tough, dark colored; the seeds slender, three-fitths to two-thirds 

 as long as the fruit, two-sevenths to one-third as wide as long, russet brown, 

 its surface roughened with fine wrinkles. The stalks and branches of the fruit 

 clusters are orange colored, the crown of foliage is rather small, the leaves 

 short and rather thick, with long, rather wide leaflets. 



One of the earliest kinds; said to ripen by the middle of September. The 

 fruit IS of medium length, narrow, and dark colored when ripe. The flesh is 

 rather thin, but soft, very sweet, and of an agreeal)le, characteristic flavor, 

 somewhat resembling Rhars. It keeps well. 



15044. Lcmsy. 



A second-class "dry" date; fruit li to If inches long, about one-half as 

 wide, elliptical in outline, not conspicuously narrowed toward the apex, often 

 slightly curved, dull ])urplish maroon when ripe; the flesh 1 to 2 lines thick, 

 becoming very firm and dry; the seed about two-thirds as long as the fruit, 

 generally one-third as wide as long. The branches of the fruit clusters are 

 orange colored. 



This is a small, thin-fleshed dry date, sometimes preserved, but usually eaten 

 fresh and even tiefore it is perfectly ri])e, as the flesh soon becomes dry and 

 hard. It is deliciously sweet and has a fine flavor, tasting somewhat like 

 chestnuts. Said to mature at the end of August. 



15045. Menakher. 



A first-class date of the "soft" type; fruit 2 to 2^ inches long, about one- 

 half as wide, oblong, broad, and rounded at both ends, keeping its shape well 

 when preserved; brownish maroon when ripe; the flesh 2 to 2i lines thick; 



97 



