222 MANUAL OF TROPICAL AND SUBTROPICAL FRUITS 



Kasbeh. Form oblong-ovate, widest near the base and broadly 

 pointed at the apex; size large, about If inches long, f inch broad; 

 surface golden-brown to chestnut in color ; skin thin but fairly tough ; 

 flesh y 3 ^ inch thick, firm, but never hard, tender ; flavor sweet, slightly 

 heavy but not cloying ; seed oblong-elliptic, almost an inch long, the 

 ventral channel open and deep, the germ-pore nearer base than apex. 

 Season late. 



Syns. Kesba, Kessebi, El Kseba. A variety of ancient origin, exten- 

 sively cultivated in Algeria and Tunisia. Before Deglet Nur came into 

 the field it was considered the finest date in North Africa. It is valued 

 in California, where it has been found to have excellent keeping and 

 shipping qualities as well as good flavor. The name means The Profit- 

 able. 



Khadhrawi. Form oblong to oblong-elliptic, widest near the 

 center and broadly pointed at the apex ; size medium to large, length 

 1 to If inches, breadth f to | inch ; surface translucent orange-brown 

 in color, overspread with a thin blue-gray bloom; skin firm, rather 

 tough; flesh, & to \ inch thick, firm, translucent, amber-brown in 

 color; flavor rich, never cloying; seed oblong-obovate to oblong- 

 elliptic, | inch long, the ventral channel narrow or almost closed. 

 Ripens midseason. 



Syns. Khadrawi, Khudrawee. One of the most important commer- 

 cial varieties of Mesopotamia, ranking second only to Halawi. It is a 

 better date than the latter, but not so highly esteemed on the American 

 market because of its slightly darker color. In California it has been 

 grown with great success. The name means The Verdant. 



Khalaseh. Form oblong to oblong-ovate, broadest near the center 

 and rounded to broadly pointed at the apex; size medium, length If 

 to If inches, breadth f to | inch; surface smooth, orange-brown to 

 reddish amber in color, with a satiny sheen ; skin firm, but tender ; 

 flesh I inch thick, firm, tender, reddish amber in color, free from fiber ; 

 flavor delicate, with the characteristic date taste in a desirable degree ; 

 seed oblong-elliptic, pointed at both ends, f to | inch long, the ventral 

 channel almost closed. Ripens midseason. 



Syns. Khalasa, Khalasi, Khalas. The most famous date of the 

 Persian Gulf region, and unquestionably one of the finest in the world. 

 It is grown principally at Hofhuf in the district of Hasa ; a few palms 

 have been planted in the United States, and have produced fruit of 

 superior quality. Khalaseh likes a dry situation and sandy soil. It is 

 not a heavy bearer, but is precocious. The name means Quintessence. 



Khustawi. Form oblong-oval, broadest near center and rounded 

 at apex; size small to medium, length 1 to 1| inches, breadth f to $ 

 inch; surface smooth, glossy, translucent orange-brown in color; 

 skin thin and delicate ; flesh I inch thick, soft and delicate in texture, 

 translucent golden-brown in color ; flavor unusually rich yet not cloy- 



