DATE VARIETIES 293 



United States have not yet fruited; seedling palms 

 in Arizona have proved coarse and late, but this 

 should not condemn the variety, which is highly 

 esteemed in Egypt. This date, which ripens in 

 August, is soft but keeps well, is longer and considerably 

 broader than Deglet Nur, slightly translucent; 

 flesh yellowish, granular midway between skin and 

 seed. Seed blunt, irregular in outline. Flavor pro- 

 nounced, delicious. 



Yatimeh, Iteema, Itima, Ytima, The Orphan, 

 one of the most popular North African varieties, 

 considered by many native connoisseurs the equal 

 of Deglet Nur; and one which has given particularly 

 good results in California. It ripens toward the end 

 of September, and is a great favorite with the Arabs 

 when fresh, but also keeps well. The dates hang 

 persistently to the clusters, and are usually sold 

 in the market in this condition, but the Arab gourmand 

 considers that they become insipid by so much 

 exposure to the air, and for his own use packs each 

 cluster in a box, surrounded with dry dates; they will 

 remain in perfect condition for six months or a year. 



Offshoots are considered rather delicate. The 

 palm demands plenty of water and fertilizer in 

 order to produce the best results. The yield is 

 heavy. 



Fruit two inches long, one-half as wide; widest 

 at or near middle, rounded or flattened at base, 

 broadly pointed at apex. Chestnut brown in color, 

 with slight purplish bloom, the thick but tender and 

 shiny skin raised all over the fruit, when it is cured, 

 in tawny olive or ochraceous blisters. Flesh one- 

 fourth inch thick, soft and sjTupy when fresh, after- 



