286 DATE GROWING 



Bint Qabaleh, Bent Keballa; perhaps the proper 

 spelling is Bint Qibleh, Daughter of the South, or 

 Bint Qabbaleh, the Kissable Maiden; one traveler 

 calls it Bint Khabala, which would mean The 

 Shriveled. A rare variety from the Mzab of Algeria, 

 somewhat similar to Yatimeh or Al Qutar (q. v.); 

 of medium size, inclined to be sticky, but of attractive 

 appearance on account of its clear, light, amber color. 

 It is considered by the Mzabites one of their best 

 varieties, but although it has done well in the United 

 States it will never be very desirable on account of 

 its softness — the pulp becomes mushy if the air is 

 humid at the time of its ripening. If carefully 

 packed, however, it keeps well. Ripens soon after 

 the first of October. Offshoots are difficult to handle, 

 by reason of their loose make-up and the low position 

 of the terminal bud. 



Tafazwin, Tafazween. Sometimes the feminine 

 form, Tafazwint, is seen. French writers call it 

 Tafazaouine. A large, attractive and valuable date 

 from Algeria and Tunisia, which has given excellent 

 results in California. It can be used either as a 

 soft or dry date, according to the stage at which it is 

 picked from the palm, and the care taken in handling 

 it. To make a soft date it should be picked when it 

 begins to show translucent spots, and ripened indoors. 

 If left on the palm it will become dry, but never 

 hard. The fruit ripens early in October, the yield 

 being fairly heavy; and because of its attractive 

 appearance, excellent quality, and keeping and 

 shipping properties, it is certain to be valuable. 



The fruit is two inches long, or a little more, and 

 seven-eighths inch wide. Bright bay color when 



