DATES, FIGS, OLIVES 



pared satisfactorily, it may partly replace wheat in temperate 

 countries. Besides this, the leaves are used for thatching, 

 and the stalks which make the stem contain a valuable 

 fibre which is used for string and rope. 



In Egypt and all along the great deserts of Sahara and 

 Asia the graceful stately Date palm gives the favourite food 

 of the people (see Chap. x.). 



The Arabs grind up the stones to make food for camels, 

 and sometimes ferment the sap to make toddy. The trees 

 are either male or female. The Arabs knew that it was 

 necessary to pollinate the female flowers with male pollen 

 long before the meaning of the process was realized in 

 Europe. 



The Fig, a native of the Persian Gulf, is cultivated all 

 along the Mediterranean and in India, Australia, and Cali- 

 fornia. It is sometimes fifteen to thirty feet high, and reaches 

 a very great age. There is one at Finisterre said to be 

 several centuries old. It yields fruit worth about £14 an 

 acre. The most interesting point about the Fig is the way 

 in which the Fig-wasp carries the pollen (see Chap. v.). 



Olives are also one of the most important and charac- 

 teristic Mediterranean trees. The crop in both Spain and 

 Italy is worth about £8,000,000 to £9,000,000 annually. 

 In California it is also successfully cultivated, and pays 

 very well. The peculiar taste of the dessert olive is ob- 

 tained by soaking it in lime or potash, and then in vinegar 

 or salt. 



The Pineapple is one of the most delicious fruits, and is 

 interesting in every way. The little sharp spines on the 

 edges of the leaves keep animals off, and also make it a little 

 difficult to harvest. The workmen must wear leather 

 trousers to prevent their being cut and torn by the leaves. 



251 



