DATE VARIETIES 285 



although it has distinguished itself at Tempe by the 

 way in which it brings its fruit to maturity regularly, 

 despite the most unfavorable climatic conditions. 



Tazi^iaut, Tazizaoot, a soft date from the Mzab 

 of Algeria, apparently found to a limited extent over 

 a much larger region in North Africa, although its 

 nomenclature is confused. It is said to be common, 

 and therefore offers great possibilities to the 

 commercial growers of the United States, as it is 

 entirely successful here and can probably be obtained 

 in sufiScient quantity to make its culture worth while. 

 The fruit is large and firm, and keeps well, showing 

 little deterioration either in color or flavor after 

 the lapse of a year. It ripens early in September, 

 but may be left on the palm for a month more without 

 deterioration. In very heavy soils, such as those of 

 the Salt River Valley of Arizona, it is later in maturing. 

 It resists dampness and moisture very well. The 

 yield is large, as many as seventeen fruit clusters 

 having been produced in the fifth year and twenty- 

 two in the eighth year on a palm in Coachella Valley. 

 The variety not only matures but ripens perfectly on 

 the tree. 



The palm is strong and stout, seems equally well 

 suited by light or heavy soil, and is decidedly hardy 

 in winter. Its foliage is notably soft, the dry, hard 

 point found at the leaf apex of most varieties being 

 absent. The leaves are noticeably recurving. Off- 

 shoots are rather diflacult to handle, however, on 

 account of their loose structure and the low situation 

 of the terminal bud; Drummond suggests that they 

 be propagated in a very light soil or even in pure 

 sand. 



