16 THE MONTHLY BULLETIN. 



Ripens about October 1st; scarce; yield average. Not in United 



States. 



Hushkiar— so far as I know, a meaningless word, and although it 

 was given me by natives in that form, I think it may be a corruption 

 of Qush Khiyar, the Cucumber Date. Similar to Khasah, ripening 

 about October 1st, rutab but cures fairly well. Bears heavily. Fairly 

 common and of passable quality. Not in America. 



Jabriyeh, "Producer of Happiness," a large (short and fat) yellow 

 rutab, ripening October 1st. Common and a fairly heavy bearer. Not 

 in United States. 



Khalaseh,* "Quintessence," the most famous date of the Persian Gulf 

 region, and easily the best. Scarce in Oman — there are probably not 

 more than 1,000 palms in Samail Valley, out of a total of more than a 

 quarter of a million. It has proved a shy bearer there. Ripens about 

 September 1st, and the fruit brings twice the price of Fardh. The 

 following description is of specimens obtained directly from Hofhiif, 

 in Hasan, the principal home of the variety: Form oblong to oblong- 

 ovate, slightly widest at or near center, rounded or slightly flattened at 

 the base, rounded to broadly pointed at the apex. Of firm, solid con- 

 sistencv, keeping shape excellently. Size medium, length If to If in., 

 breadth f to | in. Surface slightly sticky, rather smoother than the 

 average, with a delicate satiny sheen. Color light orange brown with a 

 tinge of ruddiness or deep reddish amber. So translucent that the 

 outline of the seed can almost be seen. Bloom slight, bluish-gray. 

 Skin firm but quite tender, adhering closely except for an occasional 

 small fold or blister, loosely wrinkled indiscriminately but not deeply 

 so. Flesh firm and solid but very tender, caramel-like in consistency,, 

 of delicate texture, ] in. thick, reddish amber in color and entirely free 

 from fibre. Seed oblong-elliptical, slightly pointed at both base and 

 apex, f to f in. long, i to | in. broad, broadest near center, smooth, 

 gray-brown in color, ventral channel almost or wholly closed. Flavor 

 delicate, but deliciously bringing out the characteristic date taste. 

 Fruit grown on or near the seacoast is much inferior. Has been intro- 

 duced to the United States several times, but not yet fruited. 



Khanayzi, named after a tribe of Arabs, according to the modern 

 belief, although the classical signification is ' ' Little Stinker. ' ' A com- 

 mon soft date which is considered one of the best general purpose 

 varieties, and is eaten rutab, boiled or cured. Dark reddish brown in 

 color, and closely resembles Khasab in appearance. Ripens shortly 

 after midseason; its yield varies greatly. In United States has not 



yet fruited. 



Khanayzi Halawi, ' ' The Sweet Khanayzi, ' " a long, slender, red rutab, 

 turning almost black as it matures; distinguished from the genunie 

 Khanayzi only by being a little longer, and by ripening two or three 

 weeks earlier. A very rare variety, the fruit of which is eaten as rutab 

 onlv. Not in United States. 



Khasab, "The Abundant Producer," a common variety and the latest 

 of the season except Hilali. Bears heavily, but only if given good care. 



*This is the spelling accepted among educated men at present. Tlie vulgar often 

 call it Khalast. Palgrave. who was a great linguist, but sometmies careless spelled it 

 Khalas- a wrong spelling in view of the meanmg he hmiself says it bore of quintes- 

 sence"' The correct classical spelling would be Khulaseh, and this is sometimes 

 iieard from scholarly men even at present. 



