DATE VARIETIES 215 



inferior soft date, but a much better one is grown to 

 a limited extent in most parts of Mesopotamia; 

 it is eaten either fresh or cured. The palm, which 

 is a heavy bearer, ripens its fruit late in September. 

 The date is long and slender, light brown in color. 

 Has not yet fruited in this country. 



Asharasi, Ascherasi, Tall Growing, the best dry 

 date of Mesopotamia*, and probably as good an 

 example of the type as is to be found in the world. 

 The apical end is usually soft and translucent, which 

 has led some writers to call it semi-dry. It is a great 

 favorite around Baghdad and almost as much so at 

 Busreh, although it is grown in the latter district 

 on a very small scale; and even at Baghdad most of 

 the supply comes from oases toward the Persian 

 frontier. It has been well tested in California and 

 has proved itself well adapted to conditions here. 

 By its soft consistency, freedom from fibre and tannin, 

 and delicate flavor, it commends itself to all interested 

 in dry dates, but unfortunately offshoots are difficult 

 to procure. 



In form, the fruit is ovate to oblong ovate, 

 broadest at or close to flattened base, and tapering to 

 the pointed or broadly pointed apex. Sometimes 

 tends toward ovate elliptical, being rather variable 

 in form as well as size. Medium to medium large in 

 size, one and one-eighth to one and three-eighths 

 inch in length, seven-eighths to one and one-quarter 

 inch in breadth. Surface hard, rough, straw-colored 



* Ancient writers mention a variety called Al Sarafan, now 

 extinct, which seems to have been much the same as Asharasi. An 

 interesting account of the dates anciently grown around Baghdad, 

 as described by classical writers, is given by Father Anastase Marie 

 in Loghat el Arab, No. XI, mai, 1913, p. 509. 



