VARIETIES OF MINOR IMPORTANCE. 



83 



FIG. 32. Outlines of Bayjoo 

 seed and fruit. (Natural 



size.) 



Abundant in the Jerid, and occurs also in the Nefzaoua. It is one 

 of the varieties most widely exported to other parts of Tunis and 

 Algeria. Flavor nutty, agreeable, but not very characteristic, typ- 

 ical of the dry date class. Matures in October (the 20th, according 

 to Masselot) . Number of offshoots imported, 7, all from the Jerid. 



REMTA (p. 98). Also spelled Remtsa (probably a misprint). 

 Fruit 1 to If inches long, about one-half as wide, oblong, somewhat 

 pointed (bluntly) at the apex, generally distinctly constricted a lit- 

 tle above the base, dark maroon colored when 

 ripe; the flesh about 1 line thick, rather 

 tough; the seed one-half to two-thirds as 

 long as the fruit, a little less than one-half 

 as wide as long. (Fig. 33.) The stalks and 

 branches of the fruit clusters are bright 

 orange. 



Occurs in the Jerid, especially at El Ham- 

 ma, but appears to be uncommon. Is readily 

 distinguished from other dry dates by being 

 generally distinctly constricted a little above 

 the base; hence resembling Boo Fagoos (see p. 67) in shape. Flesh 

 firm, moderately sweet, with an agreeable flavor resembling that of 

 Thaby (see p. 75), to which this variety appears to be closely related. 

 Said to ripen early (in October) and not to be injured by autumn 

 rains. Number of offshoots imported, 10. 



HAMRA (p. 98). The name means "red." Sometimes called 

 Hamraia (referring to the tree rather than the fruit). Fruit 



1J to 2 inches long, about one-half as 

 wide, egg-shaped, tapering from near the 

 base to the rounded apex, bright pur- 

 plish maroon when ripe, the colors very 

 handsome ; the flesh 1 to 3 lines thick, be- 

 coming quite firm, the dark-colored outer 

 zone thicker than the white central por- 

 tion; the seed two-thirds to four-fifths 

 as long as the fruit, generally about two- 

 fifths as wide as long, sometimes with 

 strongly developed wing-like ridges on 

 The stalks and branches of the fruit clusters 



FIG. 33. Outlines of Bemta seed 

 and fruit. (Natural size.) 



the sides. (Fig. 34.) 

 are orange colored. 



Fairly common in the Jerid and the Nefzaoua, occurring also in 

 Algeria. Is one of the largest and most showy of the dry dates. 

 Much resembles Horra (see p. 71) and surpasses it in brightness of 



oHamra Bischry (or Bechry) is said by some of the natives of the Jerid 

 to be identical with Hamra, although described in Algeria as a soft date. The 

 " Hamraya " of the Mzab oases is also described as a soft date. 

 92 



