220 DATEGROWING 



smooth to roughly undulating, rarely wrinkled; 

 brownish straw colored, sometimes darker toward 

 apex and lighter toward base. Skin hard, dry, and 

 brittle, adhering closely to flesh and rarely wrinkled 

 or folded. Flesh three-eighths inch thick, light 

 straw colored, very hard and solid, not mealy, free 

 from fibre. Seed oblong-elliptical, slightly tapering 

 at base and pointed at apex, three-fourths inch long, 

 five-sixteenths inch wide, fairly smooth, deep brown in 

 color, ventral channel open, narrow; germ pore slightly 

 nearer apex. Flavor remarkably sweet and delicate, 

 almost honey-like, with very little of the nutty 

 flavor that characterizes Asharasi. 



Badrashin, name of a village in Egypt noted as 

 a center of date culture. A variety which was 

 introduced under the probably erroneous name of 

 Okka de Badrashin has proved decidedly valuable in 

 Arizona and is worthy of wide propagation. It is 

 similar in general appearance to Birket al Hajjl 

 but is excessively late in maturing its fruit, which in 

 the Tempe garden frequently hangs on the tree all 

 winter; some of the best dates have been picked in 

 March. It is hardy and a heavy bearer, but in that 

 unfavorable climate the fruits do not mature well 

 unless artificially ripened with carbon dioxid; after 

 such treatment, however, they are an excellent and 

 saleable date, and there is practically no waste. The 

 variety is distinguished by the deep orange color of the 

 stems of its fruit clusters; there will probably be little 

 difficulty in identifying it in its native home, and it can 

 then be introduced to the United States on a large scale. 



Bajlani, vulgarly Baglani or Baklani, named 

 after the Bajleh tribe of Arabs, noted as palm growers. 



