THE DATE 221 



According to modern Omani etymologists, the name means The 

 Separated, because of the way the dates are arranged in the bunch ; but 

 the ancients, who are entitled to more credit, spell it in a way that 

 means The Apportioned. 



Ghars. Form oblong to obovate, narrowest near the rounded 

 apex; size large to very large, length H to 2 inches, breadth about 1 

 inch ; surface somewhat shining, bay colored ; skin soft and tender ; 

 flesh | inch thick, soft, sirupy, slightly translucent; flavor sweet and 

 rich ; seed oblong, f to 1 inch long, with the ventral channel deep and 

 sometimes closed near the middle, and the germ-pore at center. Season 

 early. 



Syns. Rhars, R'ars. One of the commonest soft dates in North 

 Africa, esteemed for its earliness in ripening, its productiveness, and 

 the ability of the plant to resist large amounts of alkali and much 

 neglect. In California it has proved to be a strong grower, but the 

 fruit is not so good as that of several other varieties, and also ferments 

 easily. The name means Vigorous Grower. 



Halawi. Form slender-oblong to oblong-ovate, broadly pointed 

 or blunt at the apex ; size large, length 1 to If inches, breadth about 

 | inch; surface slightly rough, translucent bright golden-brown in 

 color ; skin thin but rather tough ; flesh \ to T \ inch thick, firm, golden- 

 amber in color, tender ; flavor sweet and honey-like, but not rich ; 

 seed slender oblong, | inch long, with the ventral channel broadly 

 open. Ripens midseason. 



This is the great commercial date of Mesopotamia, and probably the 

 most important variety in the world, as regards quantity sold. It is 

 grown chiefly around Basrah, at the head of the Persian Gulf. It has 

 good keeping and shipping qualities, but is not esteemed by the Arabs 

 for eating; in American markets, however, it is preferred to several 

 other varieties because of its attractive color. Both in California and 

 in Arizona Halawi has succeeded remarkably well. The name means 

 The Sweet. 



Hayani. Form oblong-elliptic, broadest slightly below the center 

 and rounded at the apex ; size very large, length 2 to 2\ inches, breadth 

 1 to 1J inches; surface dark brown in color, smooth; skin thick, 

 separating readily from the flesh ; flesh about \ inch thick, light brown 

 in color, soft ; flavor sweet, lacking richness ; seed oblong, sometimes 

 narrowed toward the apex, \\ to If inches long, with the ventral 

 channel broad and deep, and the germ-pore usually f inch from the base. 

 Ripens midseason. 



Syns. Hayany, Birket al Hajji, Birket el Haggi, Birket el Hadji, and 

 Birkawi. One of the most satisfactory Egyptian dates in California 

 and Arizona. It is precocious and prolific, and has proved to be more 

 frost-resistant than many other varieties. The plant is unusually orna- 

 mental in appearance. The variety is named after the village of Hayan. 



