73 



3327. Zizyphus sativa(?) Jujube. 



From Blidah, Algeria. Purchased in the Arab market. Received through Mr. 

 W. T. Swingle, March, 1899. 



The scarlet dried fruits called ' ' Haneb ' ' are sold in every Arab market in North 

 Africa. 



3328. Diospyros lotus. Trebizond date. 



From Blidah, Algeria. Received through Mr. TV, T. Swingle, March, 1899. 



Considered to be the best stock on which to graft Japanese persimmons. The roots 

 spread horizontally, and there is no such pronounced tap root as has the American per- 

 simmon (Diospyros virginica) . Transplanting of the young trees is much facilitated 

 by this mode of root growth. 



3329. Phoenix dactylifera. Date. 



From Blidah, Algeria. Purchased in the Arab market. Received through Mr. 

 W. T. Swingle, March, 1899. 



Deght el Beida. A large date; not so sweet as M'Kentichi, the other common dry 

 date. (See No. 3202. ) 



3330. Acacia horrida(?) Acacia. 



From Algeria. Received through Mr. TV. T. Swingle, March, 1899. 



This South African shrub, which has numerous long white thorns, is often used for 

 hedges in North Africa. It is the ' ' Doorboom ' ' of the Dutch settlers in South Africa, 

 and is said to grow well in California. 



3330a. Acacia eburnea or A. horrida. 



From Algeria. Received through Mr. TV. T. Swingle, March, 1899. 



3331. Pelargonium capitatum. Geranium. 



From Algeria. Donated by Dr. Trabut, Government Botanist of Algeria. Received 

 through Mr. TV. T. Swingle, March, 1899. 



This is the ' ' Geranium rosat ' ' of the perfumery industry. It is, according to Dr. 

 Trabut, a sterile hybrid of P. radula and P. odoratissimum, and can only be propa- 

 gated by slips or cuttings. The essence obtained from the leaves of this plant is 

 used for adulterating attar of roses, the latter being valued at its weight in gold. It 

 is sprinkled on the roses before they are distilled. The plants are set about 3 feet 

 from each other, and are said to prefer rich clay soils. It is cut three times a year. 

 From 700 to 1,500 pounds of leaves are said to be necessary to produce 1 pound of 

 oil. The plantations last about ten years, and are said to yield a net profit of about 

 $75 per acre. 



3332. Catha edulis. Kat. 



From Algeria. Received through Mr. TV. T. Swingle, March, 1899. 



' 'A shrul) or small tree which is native from southern Africa to Arabia. The slopes 

 of Mount Saber are terraced and devoted to the culture of this shrub. It is said to 

 be a much more profitable culture in Yaman, Afghanistan, than that of coffee. It is 

 used by everybody and is expensive. If the best quality is consumed, it is easy to 

 eat a dollar's worth per day. The leaves are the part eaten. The 3-year-old plants 

 are first defoliated and only a few buds left on the twigs. From these, bushy young 

 shoots are gathered and sold as Kat mombarreh. The following year leaves of an 

 inferior quality are produced, called Kat methani. The trees are then left three years 

 before being again defoliated, and then treated as before mentioned. Buds and young 

 leaves are eaten without any preparation. Paul Emile Boutta, who traveled in Arabia 

 in about 1835, says these leaves produce a slight exudation which the inhabitants 

 like very much. I myself have found its effect to be very agreeable. According to 

 Boutta the leaves are picked from it and sent wrapped up in banana leaves as far as 

 Mocha. According to some authors, the dried leaves are also used by the Arabs, 

 being either chewed or prepared like tea. It is not impossible that this plant may 

 some time come into use among European peoples, since it is esteemed by the Arabs 

 even more than coffee." {Swingle. ) 



