DATE VARIETIES 245 



important Baghdad date, somewhat similar to 

 Maktum. It bore at Indio, California, for the first 

 time this year. Fairly early. 



Hasawi, "From Hasa, " an uncommon date at 

 Busreh, but much prized. As to its history I know 

 nothing, but its name and general appearance lead 

 me to think it might be a degenerate form of the 

 Khalaseh of Hasa, or even a seedling of that variety. 

 The fruit is described as bearing a close resemblance 

 to Halawi, ripening among the earliest (in the first 

 part of September), good to eat at any stage, and 

 keeping well when packed. The annual yield of a 

 palm is large, but does not begin so early as Halawi 

 or Khadhrawi. New to America. 



Hayani, see Birket al Hajji. 



Hilali, Hellali, Moonbeams, a soft date grown in 

 the Persian Gulf plantations, and noteworthy as the 

 latest of the region. It is fairly common in Oman and 

 at Busreh, and provides fresh (rutab) dates up to 

 December. In this condition it is the most delicious 

 I have ever tasted. Has been successful in the 

 United States, but will never be desirable for planting 

 on a large scale because of its tardj^ maturity. In the 

 Persian Gulf region this date is sometimes boiled for 

 preservation; it does not cure well naturally. Fruit 

 one and one-fourth inch long, one inch wide, broadest 

 just below apex, which is very broad and blunt. Color 

 golden yellow shading to straw at the base. Flesh 

 soft and delicate, melting, golden yellow in color; 

 thick. Seed small, slight amount of fibre. A shy 

 bearer. 



