THE DATE 219 



are easily packed and not likely to spoil. On the other hand, 

 practically all of the dates which the world recognizes as 

 valuable are soft varieties. In the following list, which in- 

 cludes the most important kinds from throughout the world, 

 there is only one unmistakably dry date (Thuri), which, though 

 recognized as good in its Algerian home, is given a place in this 

 list mainly because it has succeeded particularly well in Cali- 

 fornia. There are three others (Asharasi, Kasbeh, and Zahidi) 

 that would probably be considered dry, but cannot be un- 

 equivocably placed in that class. Asharasi and Kasbeh are 

 much softer than the typical dry date, while Zahidi at one stage 

 of its maturity is typically soft, and is widely sold in that condi- 

 tion, although if left long enough on the palm it becomes actually 

 a dry date. All the other varieties in the list are typically soft, 

 but most, if not all, of them will be converted into dry dates if 

 left to ripen on the trees in a sufficiently hot and dry climate. 



The American and European markets are accustomed only 

 to soft dates, and as most of the good varieties are soft, growers 

 will naturally give attention to soft kinds by preference. A 

 market for dry dates, in America at least, will have to be created 

 before any large quantity can be sold. Nevertheless, Americans 

 who have eaten good dry dates usually like them, and fre- 

 quently consider them preferable to those soft dates, such as 

 Malawi and Khadhrawi, which (often under the trade name of 

 Golden Dates) have until recently been almost the only varieties 

 on the American market. 



Amri. Form oblong, broadest slightly above the center and 

 bluntly pointed at the apex; size very large, length 2 to 2 inches, 

 breadth 1 to \\ inches; surface deep reddish brown in color, coarsely 

 wrinkled; skin thick, not adhering to the flesh throughout; flesh 

 about \ inch thick, coarse, fibrous, somewhat sticky, and with much 

 rag close to the seed ; flavor sweet, but not delicate ; seed oblong, 1 \ to 

 1| inches long, rough, with the ventral channel broad and shallow, 

 and the germ-pore nearer base than apex. Season late. 



More extensively exported from Egypt than any other variety. 

 It is not, however, a first-class date. It is large and attractive in appear- 



