DATE-GROWING. ll9 



notice of these prices. Dates do not require to be re-sown every 

 year like most farm crops ; they do not usually require much 

 attention as regards water after the trees are established, if the 

 water-level is well within 20 feet of the soil surface ; they 

 require no or little attention during the greater part of the year, 

 and the fruits require little preparation for the market. In con- 

 sidering the gross income which may be got from a plantation, 

 that from bye-products (see paras. 89, 90, and 91, pages 119 to 

 122) and from the auxiliary crops already referred to should also 

 be taken into account. With Basra date fruits of fourth 01 

 fifth quality actually selling in the unpacked condition in the 

 market here at 3 to 4 seers (6 or 8 Ib. approx.) per rupee (16 pence) 

 our estimate of a gross income of Ks. 207-9-0 or Rs. 311-5-0 per 

 acre for fruits alone seems most moderate, and if this is so, dates 

 properly farmed ought to be an extremely remunerative crop 

 when grown in suitable districts. s 



89. Date-growers in Arabia estimate that they receive 

 about 5 annas (5 pence) per tree for the sale 



Date palm, bye- _. n ' e 



products, their ot date palm leaves, fibre from the bases of the 

 leaves, stalks of date inflorescence, etc. (Gaskin's 

 note dated 22nd October 1912). This works out to 

 Rs. 43-7-0 (2-17-11) per acre of 139 palms. The different 

 parts of the date palm are put to a great many uses. The stems 

 are hollowed out to form water channels. They are also used as 

 beams for the roofs of houses ; to pivot the gearing of Persian 

 wheels on, etc. Ihe fibre at the base of the leaf stalk (Kabal) 

 is used for making ropes, nets, and such things. The flattened 

 bases of the leaf stalks are used as floats for fishing nets, etc. 

 From the main axes of the leaves (lakre) crates for fruits, poultry, 

 etc. ; cages for small birds, fencing for fowl runs, chairs, stools, 

 sleeping couches, and so on are made. The leaflets are woven 

 into mats, baskets, etc. The finest matting is made from the 

 tender leaflets of the young terminal bud (gacha). Date leaflets 

 are sometimes partly retted and beaten, and the fibre (scleren- 

 chymatous strands) so extracted from them is made into ropes, 

 etc. When fodder is very scarce, the leaflets are fed to buffaloes. 



