232 DATEGROWING 



nearer apex than base. Flavor mild but rich and 

 syrupy, very similar to that of Khustawi. 



El Kseba, see Kasbeh. 



Fardh, Fard, The Separated, because of the 

 way the dates are arranged on the bunch, according 

 to modern Omani etymologists, but the ancients, 

 who are much more entitled to credit, spell it 

 differently, in a way that probably means "The 

 Apportioned." Tliis is the great commercial staple 

 of Oman, and is sold in large quantities on the 

 American market, where its perfect form, due to its 

 firmness, makes it bring a relatively high price in 

 spite of its second-rate quality. 



The variety is confined to Samail Valley and its 

 continuation, Wadi Anian, in eastern Arabia, sixty 

 miles from the coast, and it so preponderates that 

 two-thirds of the half million palms are said to be 

 Fardhs. The growers declare that it will not flourish in 

 any other locality, and it certainly does not flourish 

 on the coast, probably because of the difference in 

 climatic conditions; but in its own home it is not 

 considered a delicate variety. Offshoots grow readily 

 if given care, and usually begin to bear in three years, 

 reaching their maximum yield three or four years 

 later; the number of bunches carried by a palm is 

 large, but they are not individually heavy, and 180 

 pounds is considered a big yield for one palm. 



When the fruit begins to ripen, about September 

 1, the whole of Oman is affected, and the only activity 

 of the year takes place on a larg(^ scale. The pro- 

 duction is now about as large as is profitable, and 

 if the year is unusually favorable it is diflScult to 



