122 tHE DATE PALM. 



It is possible that gur might be made from some of the many 

 male date trees which are growing in the Punjab, but the compa- 

 ratively high price of labour here (6 to 8 annas per coolie per 

 day), and the cost of fuel would probably make gur-making even 

 from these a poorly paid business. The severe damage done to 

 the trees by the tapping should be remembered when considering 

 the question. An actual test would set the whole matter at rest. 



91. In date growing countries various wines are made 



by fermenting the fruit of the date and then 



nature er of eS wine or distilling the products. They are generally 



beer made from - < r t , c* A- j 



date fruits. maae Irom interior fruits. Sometimes a mixture 



of date and other sugary and starchy fruits or 

 plant products are used in their manufacture. In other cases 

 drinks of the nature of beer are made by merely fermenting 

 these materials. Ihe variations in the methods of manufac- 

 ture ard of the materials employed are many. 



