TJIE MONTHLY BULLETIN. 15 



ripening in niidseason ; largely eaten as rutab, but also keeps well. A 

 very shy bearer, but the dates are, by some, considered superior to 

 Khalaseh; they are so full of sirup that it exudes all over them and a 

 bunch has to be brought down from the palm in a basin. Scarce ; not 

 introduced to California. 



Fardh, "The Separated." according to modern etymology, the natives 

 declaring that this refers to the way the dates are disposed on the 

 bunch ; but the variety is more than a thousand years old. and the 

 ancients spell its name in a different way. which means "The Appor- 

 tioned." It is the principal commercial variety of Oman, and in 

 Sanuiil Valley probably makes up two thirds of the plantations. A 

 small, very dark brown date, Ij in. long, f in. wide, broadest near 

 middle, but tapering little until its blunt apex. Flesh -J to } in. thick, 

 sticky but of firm consistency, russet brown in color. Skin fairly 

 thin and tender. Seed small, ^ in. long, J in. wide, tight in cavity; 

 little fibre. Flavor sweet with a rather strong after-taste. A small 

 date, but if packed properly has dry skin and perfect shape. The 

 palm is probal)ly rather delicate, although offshoots are not considered 

 so in Sanuiil. It is said that it will liear two bunches the third year 

 after planting; its ordinary yield at maturity is from 100 to 150 pounds. 

 The first shipment of P^'ardh dates for New York was sent from Masqat 

 on September 9th this year — hence the variety can not be considered an 

 early one. I believe that no imported Fardh has yet fruited in the 

 United States, although some good fruit has been produced by seed- 

 lings, in a few instances. 



Firadhi, a rare variety whose name is from the same root as the 

 preceding. It is small, red turning black; a shy bearer. Ripens same 

 time as Fardh, and may have originated as a seedling of the latter. 

 Not in United States. 



Habab. "Dewdrops," a variety almost identical with Khasab, but a 

 little snudler. Ripens in Octol)er. yields scantily and is very rare. Not 

 imported. 



Halawi, "The Sweet," the well-known Busreh date, is grown in 

 Oman to some extent. 



Harmi, "The Women's Date," a small, slender rutab, yellow turning 

 to red ; midseason ; rare. Not imported. 



HiirUi, "Moonbeams." from its color: the latest date of the region, 

 usually eaten only when fresh, and in that condition the most delicious 

 I have ever tasted. Fruit 1^ in. long, 1 in. wide, broadest just below 

 apex, which is very broad and blunt. Color golden yellow, shading to 

 straw at the base. Flesh soft and delicate, melting, golden yellow in 

 color, thick. Seed small, slight amount of fibre. A rather scarce 

 variety and a shy bearer. Sometimes boiled. Has been tested in 

 United States and found to be successful. 



HiirUi IMakrani, a variety from the ]Makran coast of Baluchistan, 

 resembling Hilali save in color. Fruit reddish brown with purplish 

 bloom, 1§ in. long, 1-i in. wide, broadest just above base, apex slightly 

 pointed; skin rather thick and tough and inclined to blister. Flesh 

 light in color, 5/16 in. thick, sticky but with caramel consistency. Seed 

 cavity large but little fibre. Seed a little less than an inch long, ^ in. 

 wide, color of an unroasted coffee bean ; small. A date of good charac- 

 teristics save for its late maturity and a slight heaviness of flavor. 



