DATE VARIETIES 271 



The date is a little less than medium size, light bay 

 or ochraceous in color, the flesh thin, dry and usually 

 hard, with traces of astringency. Not desirable 

 for planting in the United States. 



Mirhage, see Amir Haj j . 



Muznaj, Meznag, vulgarly Bznag, The Thirst 

 Producer, one of the earliest of Oman dates, and 

 common. It is usually eaten only when fresh, or 

 rutab. The yield is said to be very heavy, a palm 

 often carrying twenty-five clusters. Fruit is long 

 and slender. With native methods the dates do not 

 keep well — but then, they rarely have a chance. 

 The variety has not yet fruited in the United States. 

 A letter from Consul Homer Brett in Masqat states 

 that the first dates this year arrived on the market 

 there May 20, and that they were of this variety, 

 grown in an oasis wliich derives its water supply 

 from a spring whose temperature is 105° F. 



Naghal, Nagal, The Bastard, one of the most 

 popular Oman dates, because it is the earliest to 

 ripen, with the exception of Muznaj. June 1 may be 

 taken as the date for its arrival at marketable con- 

 dition, in an ordinary year. The date is of medium 

 size or a little larger, long and slender, hght brown in 

 color; little eaten except in its fresh and soft condition, 

 but can also be cured and keeps well. The yield of a 

 palm of this variety is said to be heavy. Has not 

 yet had an opportunity to show what it can do in 

 the United States, but when the offshoots now here 

 come into bearing they are likely to prove of great 

 interest. 



