190 SEEDS AND PLANTS IMPORTED, 



15000 to 15210 — Continued. 



the seed broad at both ends, about one-half as long as the fruit, one-half as 

 wide as long, very rough. 



The leaves are long and broad, and rather stiff and heavy, crowded with 

 very numerous long leaflets, and their stalks are armed almost thruout t^eir 

 length with long, stout spines. The fruit clusters are short and dense, their 

 stalks bright yellow, rather short, stout, and only moderately curved, so that 

 the bundles do not hang down Ix'low the leaves as in the Deglet Noor, but are 

 almost hidden bv the foliage. 



This produces' fruit that is thought by many of the natives, and even by 

 some of the few lunopeans who- have tasted it, to surpass the Deglet Koor; is 

 at least equal in quality to the Deglet Noor, which it considerably resembles 

 in iiavor. In size JNIenakher dates are U to nearly 2 times as large as those 

 of the Deglet Noor variety; in color they are generally darker. The seed, tho 

 thick, is short in jiroportfon to the length of the fruit". It is very different in 

 appearance from that of the Deglet Noor. The thick, translucent flesh, altho 

 soft and sirupv, becomes firm when preserved, just as does that of the Deglet 

 Noor. If preserved with any care Menakher dates keep their shape admirably. 

 The skin does not become sticky but remains dry and clean, which is a very 

 desira])le property in a dessert fruit. An ol)jectionable feature is the strong 

 development of tiie white, stringy core. This diminishes perceptibly, however, 

 in thoroly ripe fruit. The consensus of opinion is that in point of appearance, 

 cleanness of skin, keeping quality, and delicacy of flavor the ^Menakher dates 

 surpass the Deglet Noor, while the latter are superior in the crisper texture of 

 the flesh and small development of the stringy core, or "rag." 



This variety ripens its fruits in the latter part of October. It is said to yield 

 little during the first few years after the offshoots are planted, but afterwards 

 surpasses the Deglet Noor" in yield, one palm i:)roducing sometimes 220 pounds 

 of dates. 



15046. Moklt Bi'i/r.i/, or Moukh Begri. 



A second-class "soft" variety; fruit IJ to li inches long, about three-fourths 

 as wide, broadest at the base, and narrowed thence to the l>road, rounded 

 apex, flattened on the sides, bright bay colored when ripe; the flesh very 

 soft, about H lines thick, rather dark colored, translucent; the seed light 

 brown, one-half to two-thirds as long as the fiuit, about twice as long as wide, 

 rounded at both ends. The stalks and branches of the fruit clusters are light 

 orange. 



The trees are said not to bear heavily. The dates are rather small and have 

 an unusual shape. The translucent flesh is very soft, but the fruit is said to 

 preserve well. It is very sweet and of delicious flavor, resembling and perhaps 

 equaling the Deglet Noor. Fruit ripens in the latter part of October. 



15047. Okht Amrnari/. 



8aid to resemble Anunary, but to be larger. Keported to ripen at the end 

 of September and not to keep well. 



15048. Okht Fleetny. {French, Oiikht Ftimi.) 



A second-class "soft" date; fruit 2 to 2 J inches long, about two-fifths as 

 wide, oblong, straight, somewhat pointed at the apex, deep purplish maroon 

 when ripe, the surface shining; the flesh 2^ to .S lines thick, soft; the seed 

 slender, about one-half as long as the fruit, only two-sevenths as wicle as long; 

 dark brown. The stalks and branches of the fruit clusters are rich orange. 

 The many fruit clusters are short-stalked and almost hidden by the foliage. 



The very handsome fruit is longer and more slender than that of Fteemy, 

 and is often lirighter colored, but is otherwise very similar. In regard to 

 flavor, no difference could be detected. Altho very soft and sirupv, the fruits 

 preserve well. Okht Fteemy palms give a good crop every year and are very 

 productive. These dates are not generally ripe before November. Among 

 the most alkali-resistant varieties. 



15049. Bemta. ^ 



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

 wide, oblong, somewhat pointed at the apex, generally distinctly constricted 

 a little above the base, dark maroon colored when ripe; the flesh about 1 

 line thick, rather tough; the seed mie-half to two-thirds as long as the fruit, 



97 



