238 D A T E G R O W I N G 



are Laiin al Ghazi and Nuwa al Ghazi, both doubtless 

 of seedling origin; the former is considered of superior 

 quality and the latter earlier in ripening. 



Gundila, Gondila, Gondela, a dry date from 

 Nubia and the Sudan, which has been introduced to 

 the United States but has not yet fruited. Large 

 size, yellowish brown color. Season September. 

 Ordinarily grows in sand. With Barakawi, another 

 dry variety, this makes up practically the whole 

 commerce in dates in the Sudan. An ardab (320 

 pounds) of the latter sells for $4 to $5 while the same 

 quantity of Gundila brings from $5 to $6. 



Halawi, The Sweet, the great commercial date 

 of Mesopotamia and probably the most important 

 commercial date of the world in point of quantity 

 sold. It ripens early, bears heavily, packs well, and 

 keeps well, but the Arabs themselves do not care 

 for it as a diet, because they consider it not only 

 cloying but rather indigestible. It is a favorite with 

 the American consumer, however, largely on account 

 of its light and attractive color, and as it has been 

 proved to succeed excellently in America it will 

 probably be planted here on a large scale. In Busreh 

 the variety ripens during the first two weeks of 

 September. 



Form slender oblong to oblong-ovate, tapering 

 almost unnoticeablj' from the broad, flattened base 

 to the blunt or broadly pointed apex. Size medium 

 large, the length being one and one-fourth to one and 

 three-fourths inch, width near base three-fourths to 

 thirteen-sixteenths inch. Surface slightly rough, 

 translucent bright golden brown in color, the bluish- 



