VARIETIES OF PRIMARY IMPORTANCE. 73 



in the Nefzaoua. One-fourth of the palms in the oasis of Kebili are 

 said to be of this variety, and the French commandant there has 

 selected it, together with Horra (see p. 71) , for planting in his garden. 

 It is also very important at Gabes, where it is ranked among the six 

 best kinds of the region. The fruit is of medium size and, as indi- 

 cated in the key (p. 97), is remarkable among the dry dates for the 

 manner in which the skin becomes loosened into large blisters, which 

 is usually a peculiarity of the soft dates rather than of the dry dates. 

 The flesh is rather thin and becomes quite firm, although not very dry, 

 in the perfectly ripe fruit. The surface is clean and dry, even when 

 the fruit is quite ripe. It is not sirupy, although pleasantly sweet, 

 and can be eaten in quantity without cloying. The flavor is very 

 agreeable, wholesome, and of the nutty quality characteristic of most 

 dry dates. Dates of this type, if extensively grown in this country, 

 might become an important element in the diet of those who prefer 

 vegetable to animal food. Fruit of this variety is said to sell on the 

 trees at $1.12 to $1.20 per hundred pounds, 

 a little less than one-half the selling price 

 of Deglet Noor dates. 



The Kenta date is one of the best in keeping 

 quality of the dry dates, retaining its shape 

 perfectly and never becoming extremely 

 hard, as do most of that class. At Gabes 

 it is preserved in earthenware jars, and is 

 said by the amins (agricultural experts) to 



J v .' . /,, FIG. 15.-0utlines of Kenta seed 



be one of the two best keeping sorts of the and fruit. (Natural size.) 

 region. One of the amins, wishing to em- 

 phasize its importance as a staple article of food, likened it to 

 wheat or barley and the soft dates to confectionery. The caid of 

 Kebili cited it among the seven best-keeping varieties. It is an im- 

 portant article of commerce between the inhabitants of the oases and 

 the natives of other parts of Tunis and Algeria, and is said even to be 

 exported from the Nefzaoua to Europe (probably to Italy). 



Kenta is a comparatively early ripening variety, maturing in the 

 Jerid about the middle of October and perhaps earlier. Its fruits, 

 like those of others of its type (e. g., Angoo and Remta), are said to 

 be less liable than the soft dates to be spoiled if rain falls upon them 

 when in the ripening stage. At Gabes it is regarded as one of the 

 two most productive varieties. It is said to give an abundant crop 

 every year. In the Jerid many trees are pointed out as yielding 330 

 pounds of fruit. M. Minangoin mentions a tree at El Oudiane that 

 is said to produce 770 pounds, and also trees at Kebili at least 200 

 years old that still yield 265 pounds of fruit annually. 



aAs suggested by Mr. O. F. Cook. See Bui. 53, Bureau of Plant Industry, p. 31. 

 92 



