86 



DATE VARIETIES AND DATE CULTURE IN TUNIS. 



FIG. 39. Outlines of Sayba Boo Dra seed and fruit. 

 (Natural size.) 



when preserved ; black when ripe ; the flesh about 2 lines thick, very 

 soft and sirupy, nearly black ; the seed about two-fifths as long as the 

 fruit, about two-fifths as wide as long, dark brown. (Fig. 38.) 



Less common than the Tozer Zaid Safra variety, which it very 

 closely resembles in appearance and flavor. Number of offshoots 

 imported, 7. 



SAYBA Boo DRA (p. 102). Fruit from 2 to more than 2^ inches 

 long, less than one-half as wide, oblong, somewhat pointed at the 

 apex, usually curved, prune purple when ripe, the surface rather dull ; 



the flesh 3 to 3J lines thick, 

 rather firm ; the slender seed 

 about one-half as long as 

 the fruit and not more than 

 one-third as wide as long. 

 (Fig. 39.) The stalks and 

 branches of the fruit clus- 

 ters are bright orange col- 

 ored. 



In Tunis apparently con- 

 fined to the Jerid oases, 

 where it is rare. Occurs 

 also in the Oued Rirh in 



Algeria. The name signifies that, turned over endwise seven times, 

 the fruit measures a cubit (20 inches), and is expressive of the great 

 length of this huge date, the largest of the Tunisian varieties. Flesh 

 thick, rather tough. Flavor agreeable, suggesting Boo Fagoos (see 

 p. 67). It ripens about the end of 

 October. Number of offshoots im- 

 ported, 10. 



KHAROOBY (p. 102;. French or- 

 thography, Kharroubi. Fruit about 

 2 inches long, less than two-fifths as 

 wide, often wider near the apex than 

 elsewhere, usually curved, between 

 bay and maroon colored when ripe, 

 the surface shiny ; the skin conspic- 

 uously loosened and remaining light 

 yellow ; the flesh 1 to 2 lines thick, rather soft and dark colored ; the 

 seed nearly three-fifths as long as the fruit, one-third as wide as long, 

 generally somewhat curved. (Fig. 40.) The stalks and branches of 

 the fruit clusters are orange colored. The leaves are very long, 

 crowded with long, broad leaflets. 



Frequent, but not abundant, in the Jerid. Flesh of the ripe fruit 

 of the consistency of thick jelly, moderately sweet, agreeable in 

 flavor, resembling Lagoo (seep. 80). Said to preserve well. Ripens 



92 



FIG. 40. Outlines of Kharooby seed and 

 fruit. (Natural size.) 



