DATE VARIETIES 241 



A small but good Baghdad dry date, which closely 

 resembles the favorite Zahidi in appearance and 

 ripens at the same time — that is, it is early. Bears 

 well. Not common. No record of its performance in 

 America yet. 



Barban, Berban, The Fair Persian*, a name 

 given because of its brilliant red color when fresh. 

 Prized at Baghdad solely for its early maturity (late 

 July); it does not cure or keep well. The date is of 

 medium size; it turns dark brown when fully mature, 

 but never becomes very sweet, or entirely loses its 

 astringency. It is fairly common, however, being 

 a rank grower, and considered the heaviest bearer of 

 the region, with the possible exception of Zahidi, 

 yields of 300 or 350 pounds being recorded. The 

 palm may be distinguished by the great size of its 

 petioles at the base; cross sections of them are used 

 by small boys when learning to swim in the Tigris, 

 because of their lightness as well as size. The fruit 

 is considered rather indigestible; much of it is used, 

 when fresh, for the manufacture of dibs or date 

 syrup, for which the variety is considered well suited. 



Barhi, Berhi, originally Barhi. The Barh are 

 hot winds which prevail at Busreh during the summer 

 and which are supposed to have a particular influence 

 on the maturity of this date. It disputes with 

 'Awaydl the first rank at Busreh, although it is 

 scarce; hardly grown at Baghdad. It is delicious at 

 any stage, but unrivaled when fresh. Offshoots are 



*The word is itself Persian in origin, and is a contraction of 

 B&hr B4nu, "the beautiful girl." It will be seen, therefore, that my 

 translation above is somewhat free. The variety Tun, now extinct, 

 seems to have been similar to, if not identical with, Barb^. 



