76 DATE VARIETIES AND DATE CULTURE IN TUNIS. 



This variety, which is not common in the Jerid, abounds in the 

 Nefzaoua. The Halooa of the Algerian oases 

 appears to be distinct (see p. 99). It is much 

 like the Lemsy (see p. 75), but the fruit is even 

 smaller. It ripens rather early (October 10, 

 according to Masselot), and is generally eaten 

 fresh, becoming hard and dry when preserved. 

 Because of their simple, wholesome flavor and 

 not excessive sweetness, the writer found it 



FIG. i9.-0utimes of Haiooa possible to eat dates such as Lemsy and Halooa 



Bayda seed and fruit. L J . 



(Natural size.) Bayda much more freely than the rich, sirupy 



kinds. Offshoots of this variety to the number 

 of 24, mostly obtained in the Nefzaoua, were imported. 



SOFT DATES. 



MOKH BEGRY (p. 100). French orthography, Moukh Begri. The 

 name signifies " the brain of an ox." Fruit (PL X, fig. 4) 1-J to 1 

 inches long, about three-fourths as wide, broadest at the base and 

 narrowed thence to the broad rounded apex, flattened on the sides, 

 bright bay colored when ripe ; the flesh very soft, about 1 J lines thick, 

 rather dark colored, translucent; the seed light brown, one-half to 

 two-thirds as long as the fruit, about twice as 

 long as wide, rounded at both ends. (Fig. 20.) 

 The stalks and branches of the fruit clusters 

 are light orange. 



This is an extremely rare and much esteemed 

 variety, apparently occuring only in the Jerid 

 oases. The trees are said not to bear heavily. 

 The dates are rather small and have an unusual 

 shape. The translucent flesh is very soft, but 

 the fruit is said to preserve well. It is very Fm . go.outiines of 



sweet and of delicious flavor, resembling and ^^J 6 ^ and fruit ' 

 perhaps equaling the Deglet Noor. The fruits 



ripen in the latter part of October. After a thorough search only 

 two offshoots could be procured for importation. 



BAYDH HAMMAM (p. 100) . The name means " pigeon egg." Fruit 

 If to 1 j inches long, three-eights to five-eighths as wide, egg-shaped, 

 broadest near the middle, rather conspicuously blunt pointed at apex. 

 not keeping its shape well, dark chestnut brown with a tinge of 

 maroon when ripe; the flesh very soft and dark colored, about 2 

 lines thick ; the seed one-half to five-eighths as long as the fruit, one- 

 third to two-fifths as wide as long, dark brown. (Fig. 21.) The 

 stalks and branches of the fruit clusters are orange colored. The 



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