264 DATE GROWING 



broadest near center or slightly nearer basal end and 

 narrowing slightly toward the broadly flattened base 

 and broadly pointed apex; surface deeply wrinkled 

 and creased indiscriminately, bright bay to deep 

 reddish brown in color (the light bay color is perhaps 

 due to crystallizing of sugar under the skin) . Skin very 

 thin and tender, adhering closely to flesh over the 

 entire fruit. Flesh firm, meaty, nearly three-eighths 

 inch thick, brownish-amber in color, translucent, with 

 practically no fibre around seed. Seed one and one- 

 fourth inch long, three-eighths inch wide, elliptical 

 in form but slightly widest near apex; smooth, brown- 

 ish gray, germ pore nearer base, ventral channel 

 almost closed. Flavor rich and delicious, the char- 

 acteristic taste of the date being pronounced. 



Makantishi, M 'Kentichi, Amekentichi, Em- 

 kentishi, Kenteeshy, Kentichi; (the word Degla is 

 often added to the name and it is frequently confused 

 with Mashi Degla of similar appearance), The 

 Early Arriving. A small dry date which is very 

 common in Algeria, probably because it demands 

 little irrigation or fertilization. Mountain dwellers 

 prefer it as a steady diet, and in the oases it is con- 

 sidered the best food for children perhaps because 

 it is cheap. It can be eaten when fresh and soft 

 (rutab) as well as dry. In spite of its name, it is 

 not particularly precocious, but bears fairly heavily. 

 Offshoots are notably vigorous and hardy. It has 

 done well in the United States, but it is never likely 

 to have great value, as there are so many larger and 

 better dry dates. It is worth noting, however, that 

 this is one of the two dates which have been found, 

 in which the contents remain predominantly cane 



