DATE VARIETIES 257 



more of the characteristic flavor which is usually 

 associated with the date. By Arab packing it 

 sometimes becomes soft, but by American methods 

 it should pack fully as well as the North African date, 

 and I believe that when American Khalasehs are 

 put on the market they will be considered as fine a 

 date as the world can produce. The following 

 description is of specimens obtained directly from 

 Hofhtif: Form oblong to oblong-ovate, slightly 

 widest at or near the center, rounded or slightly 

 flattened at the base, rounded to broadly pointed at 

 the apex. Of firm, soUd consistency, keeping shape 

 excellently. Size medium, length one and three- 

 eighths to one and five-eighths inch. breadth 

 three-fourths to seven-eighths inch. Surface slightly 

 sticky, rather smoother than the average, with a 

 delicate satiny sheen. Color light orange brown with 

 a tinge of ruddiness or deep reddish amber. So 

 translucent that the outline of the seed can almost 

 be seen. Bloom slight, bluish gray. Skin firm but 

 quite tender, adhering closely except for an occasional 

 small fold or blister, loosely wrinkled indiscriminately, 

 but not deeply so. Flesh firm and solid but very 

 tender, caramel-like in consistency, of delicate texture, 

 one-quarter inch in thickness, reddish amber in color 

 and entirely free from fibre. Seed oblong-elliptical, 

 slightly pointed at both base and apex, three-fourths 

 to seven-eighths inch in length, one-quarter to three- 

 eighths inch in breadth, broadest near center, smooth, 

 gray-brown in color, ventral channel almost or 

 wholly closed. Flavor delicate, but deliciously bring- 

 ing out the characteristic date taste. 



