DECEMBER, 1903, TO DECEMBER, 1905. 185 



15000 to 15210— C'ontiiuiod. 



tivt'-iiinths to five-eighths as long as tlie fruit, rather slender. The orange- 

 colored stalks of the fruit clusters are sharply curved, and so short that the 

 ratiier small Ininrhts hardly extend beyond the leafstalks. 



The fuliajze of this, as oi several other of the finest varieties, is of a light and 

 delicate aspect, due in this case to the relatively few leaves and the narrow- 

 nt'ss of the leafiets. The leaves tiieniselves are large an<l wide, curving down- 

 ward very noticeal)ly. 



The large fruit is remarkable for its unusual shape, somewhat like that of a 

 fiddle or of some of the varietii's of gherkins, to which it doubtless owes its 

 Arabic name. The flesh is tiiick and rather firm, yetten<ler. It is very sweet 

 and has a very distinctive antl highly attractive flavor. It ripens late in 

 October. 



15009. Deght liarca. 



Fruit said to be "soft," round, and nearly black. It is described as a soft 

 date that preserves very well. 



15010. Deglel Caul. 



Fruit coral red before maturity, and black when ripe; said to be conserva- 

 ble only for r, short time. Reported to be a fine variety and to ripen early in 

 September. 



15011 and 15012. Deglet Xoor. 



A first-class "soft" date; fruit IJ to a little over 2 inches long and about 

 one-half as wide, ovoid ol)long in shape, generally widest at or near the middle 

 and blunt pointed at the ai)ex, often narrowed alsoattiie base, maroon col- 

 oreil when ripe; the flesh 2 to .S lines thick, translucent; the seed al)Out five- 

 ninths as long as the fruit, conspicuously pointeil, and tlark chestnut l)rown in 

 color. The stalks and branches of the fruit clusters are bright yellow (not 

 orange), with stalks long and slender, sharply curved near the base, so that 

 the i)unches hang down far below the crown of foliage. 



The Deglet Noor ])resents a coud)ination of characteristics— fine flavor, sweet- 

 ness, attractive apnearance, cleanliness, good keejiing qualities— that can be 

 rivaled bv no other variety that is widely grown. It requires a high sum total 

 of temperature to bring it to perfect maturity; begins to ripen in (juantity 

 toward the end of October, slower in coming into full bearing than most varie- 

 ties, the palms generally not giving a good crop until they are 10 years old, 

 ])roducing largely only every second or third year. 



15013. Deglet Sennaga . 



A "soft" date; fnnt 87.5 to 40 mm. long, 17.5 mm. wide, oblong, somewhat 

 pointed at the apex, bright chestnut brown when rij^e, surface shining, skin 

 much loosened and folded; flesh soft, dark colored; seed large, dark brown; 

 very sweet; flavor distinctive (suggesting Imrnt sugar) and rather agreeable, 

 but'not very pronounced. It is said to keep well. 



15014. Ihkar. (Early, male. ) 



15015. Dohir. (Medium, male.) 



15016. Dokar. (Late, male.) 



15017. Doonga, or Denanga. 



A second-class "soft" date; fruit a little over 1^ inches long, six-tenths to 

 seven-tenths as wide, egg-shaped, broadest near the base, dull dark purj^lish 

 maroon when ripe; theflesh l\ to 2 lines thick, firm white, central portion 

 nearly as thick as the dark outer zone; seeds small and thick (only about one- 

 half as long as the fruit and about onedialf as wide as long), narrowed at both 

 ends. The stalks and branches of the fruit clusters are light orange. 



A dark-colored, rather small date, with moderately soft, dark-colored flesh 

 and with a clean, dry skin. It is very sweet and of a fine flavor, suggesting 

 that of Deglet Noor. 



15018. Fteemy' or Fthui 



A first-class "soft" date; fruit If to 2 inches long, about one-half as wide, 

 oblong, slightlv narrowed at both ends, dark purplish maroon when ripe, the 

 surface shining, the flesh soft and sirupy, al)Out 2 lines thick, the seed about 



07 



