THE DATE 215 



house, or a room built in the packing-shed for this purpose. 

 This is so constructed as to be air-tight when closed, so that the 

 temperature can be maintained at an even figure, without varia- 

 tion of more than a degree or two, by means of an electric light 

 or a lamp with thermostat attachment such as is used in the 

 incubators of poultry men. Under such conditions, dates will 

 be brought to a beautiful even maturity and practically without 

 loss by keeping them from twenty-four to seventy-two hours 

 at a temperature of 110 to 120. 



The skillful grower will control further the ripening of his 

 dates by irrigation. In some climates, like that of Upper 

 Egypt and of the Coachella Valley in some seasons, a typically 

 "soft" date like Deglet Nur will mummify on the palm, as it 

 matures, until it becomes a "dry" date. This can be avoided 

 by keeping the palms well irrigated while the dates are ripen- 

 ing. On the other hand, "soft" varieties sometimes "go to 

 pieces" and ferment on the tree, because of too much moisture ; 

 in this case the soil must be kept dry during the ripening season. 



The packing of dates is a matter for the grower's own taste, 

 or for standardization by the cooperative association to which he 

 may belong. Good dates of standard varieties are usually 

 packed in layers in one-pound cardboard boxes, like sweet- 

 meats. In California, where home-grown dates bring fancy 

 prices, great pains are taken with this finest quality of fruit, 

 which is easily retailed at $1 a pound. 



Most dates worth marketing in the United States are worth 

 packing in cartons. In Arizona, berry-boxes have been used. 

 The American standard for bulk shipment is the lug-box of 

 30 to 40 pounds' capacity. It is important, in any case, that the 

 pack be uniform, both in size and variety ; otherwise the grower 

 can expect to receive only "cull" prices. 



Many varieties, such as Zahidi, ripen well in the bunch and 

 adhere indefinitely. It is probable that a profitable trade can 

 be developed in marketing entire bunches of these, which the 



