236 DATEGROWING 



much esteemed because of its early maturity, heavy 

 yield, resistance to alkali*, tolerance of neglect, and 

 the easy digestibility of its fruit, even when eaten in 

 large quantities steadily. In the United States 

 it has proved a shyer bearer, and in moist climates 

 such as that of the Salt River Valley, Arizona, its 

 fruit matures unevenly, and ferments before it can be 

 handled. In California, and particularly if pollinated 

 by Phoenix canariensis, the fruit is easy to handle 

 and will always be valuable because of its large size 

 and earliness. It seems to do best on a sandy soil. 



In California the fruit ripens at the middle of 

 August, but in its native home sometimes two weeks 

 earlier than this. The tree shows a tendency to bear 

 a good crop only every other year, but this is largely 

 overcome by giving it good treatment. The root 

 system is deep, in comparison with the shallower root 

 system of Deglet Ntir. Offshoots are considered 

 hardy by the Algerians, although other varieties 

 have been found easier to propagate in the United 

 States. 



As is indicated by its name, the tree is sturdy and 

 vigorous, the trunk stout, and the foliage luxuriant, 

 the numerous long leaves being crowded with long, 

 broad leaflets. Stalks and branches of fruit-clusters 

 are bright orange. 



The fruit itself is one and one-half to two inches 

 or more in length, and two-fifths to nearly one-half 

 as wide, oblong or inversely egg-shaped, bay colored, 

 but sometimes ochraceous when the shiny skin has 

 lifted in big blisters. In general, the skin adheres 

 closely to the flesh, which is three-eighths inch thick, 



*lii Algeria no variety tolerates more alkali unless it be the 

 inferior dry date, Degla Baydhi. 



