67 



3272. Phoenix dactylifera. Date. 



From Algeria. Received through Mr. W. T. Swingle, March, 1899. Purchased 

 in the market at Algiers. 



M' Kentichi. A small but good dry date. In the city of Algiers the M'Kentichi 

 date is preferred to the Deglet el Beida (see No. 3329), which, though larger, is not 

 so sweet. At Orleansville Mr. Yahia prefers the latter. 



3273. Phoenix dactylifera. Date. 



From Algeria. Received through Mr. W. T. Swingle, March, 1899. Purchased 

 in the market at Algiers. 



Deglet Now. This is the standard date grown for export to Europe. 



3274. Phoenix dactylifera. Date. 



From Algeria. Received through Mr. W. T. Swingle, March, 1899. Donated 

 by Mr. Yahia Ben Kassem. 



Timdjouert. A red date of good quality, rarely seen by European.*. (See No. 3002. ) 



3275. Phoenix dactylifera. Date. 



From Algeria. Received through Mr. W. T. Swingle, March, 1899. Donated 

 by Mr. Yahia Ben Kassem. 



Bent Akbela. A date rarely seen by Europeans. Mr. Yahia considers this one of 

 the best of the M'Zab dates. 



3276. Ficus carica. Fig. 



From Algeria. Received through Mr. W. T, Swingle, March, 1899. Donated 

 by M. Jules Borgeaud, Swiss consul at Algiers. 



This sample pack of figs is from Kabylia. Figs come packed in small sacks made 

 of braided leaves of the dwarf palm. In 1899 the trade in these figs was very good, 

 owing to the scarcity of Smyrna figs. These figs contain ripe seeds, and consequently 

 have been caprified. Seeds should be planted in the hope of obtaining new varie- 

 ties of figs and caprifigs. 



3277. Opuntia robusta. Prickly pear. 



From Algeria. Received through Mr. W. T. Swungle, March, 1899. Donated 

 by Dr. Trabut, Government Botanist of Algeria. 



The large, round, gray pads of this are very ornamental. This cactus is one of the 

 most ornamental species grown in the gardens in southern France and in Algiers. 

 It has very thick, circular pods, about a foot in diameter, grayish green in color. 

 The plant attains a height of from 15 to 20 feet, and is strikingly ornamental. It is 

 commonly called Opuntia Piccolominiana, but is referred to 0. robusta by Schumann. 



3278. Opuntia crassissima. Prickly pear. 



From Algeria. Received through Mr. W. T. Swingle, March, 1899. Donated 

 by Dr. Trabut, Government Botanist of Algeria. 



A spineless cactus, of possible value for forage. The fruit is said to be edible. 



3279. Opuntia ficus-indica inermis. Prickly pear. 



From Algeria. Received through Mr. W. T. Swingle, March, 1899. Donated by 

 Dr. Trabut, Government Botanist of Algeria. 



A spineless cactus of great importance as a forage plant in arid countries. There 

 are extensive plantations of it in Tunis and Algeria. 



3280. Opuntia acida. Prickly pear, 



From Algeria. Received through Mr. W. T. Swingle, March, 1899. Donated bj 

 Dr. Trabut, Government Botanist of Algeria. 



An acid-fruited cactus, used for making cooling summer drinks. 



