DATE VARIETIES 233 



dispose of the crop, for which the growers receive 

 little more than one cent a pound. In an ordinary 

 year they get about a cent and a half. Usually 

 buyers take the crop while it is still on the tree, 

 paying the owner $1.50 to $2,00 for the crop of a 

 good tree. Because of its remarkable shipping and 

 keeping qualities, the date is exported all over the 

 Persian Gulf region, to Southern Arabia, and in large 

 quantities to East Africa; but the United States is, 

 as it has been for many years, one of the most profit- 

 able customers. Much of the date export trade is 

 carried on by chartered steamers which make the trip 

 to New York direct. Exports to New York in 1911 

 were 3,882,008.5 pounds valued at $154,662.42, 

 according to consular invoice; for preceding years the 

 value of the annual shipment to New York was as 

 follows : 



1910 $ 94,082 



1909 40,771 



1908 59,036 



1907 105,011 



1906 131,058 



Probably this variability in the exports is due 

 more to fluctuation in the amount of the crop than 

 to variation of the American demand, which is fairly 

 steady, because the Fardh date is the only one imported 

 by the United States which can be bought in fairly 

 presentable condition. Its tough, firm flesh allows 

 it to come on the table intact, while the superior 

 Halawi and Khadhrawi of Busreh have been so 

 squeezed out of shape by the heavy feet of the x\rab 

 packer that they do not look presentable, no matter 

 how good their flavor may be. 



