SEPTEMBEE, 1900, TO DECEMBER, 1903. 209 



8573. Phoenix dactylifera. Date palm. 



From Bahrein, Arabia. Received through Messrs. Lathrop and Fairchild (No. 

 835, February 10, 1902) , April 4, 1902. 



Khalasa. " Dried dates of one of the finest varieties in the Persian Gulf. These 

 dates are so delicate that they are not shipped to America, although they may be 

 kept several months, as is evidenced by the present samples. They are reported to 

 suffer by the sea voyage. The date has very little fiber, being a sticky sort with a 

 decidedly caramel-like texture. The flavor is superior to that of the best Fard date 

 and the skin is soft and delicate. The stone is small, but not unusually so. It is 

 considered the best date on the Persian Gulf by Mr. J. C. Gaskin, British consul, 

 who has been a dealer in one of the largest date firms at Bassorah, and by Mr. S. M. 

 Zwemer, who has traveled all over Arabia. Personally I prefer the Pangh Ghur 

 date and the Deglet Noor, but the Khalasa approaches these closely for sweetness 

 and delicacy. It is sticky, however, and might not be well suited to such style of 

 packing as is in vogue with the French packers in Algiers. Secured through the 

 kindness of Messrs. Gaskin and Zwem-er, of Bahrein." (Fairchild. ) (See No. 8753. ) 



8574. Pistacia vera. Pistache. 



From Bunder Abbas, Persia. Received through Messrs. Lathrop and Fairchild 

 (No. 839, February 11, 1902), April 4, 1902. 



"Bought in the market of Bunder Abbas. They were said to have been brought 

 down some nineteen days by caravan from the town of Kerman, in the interior. 

 They were fresh in December or November. The trees were probably grafted, 

 although no definite information on this point could be obtained. Kerman is said 

 to have a temperate climate." (Fairchild.) 



8575. Lagenaria sp. Grourd. 



From Jask, Persia. Received through Messrs. Lathrop and Fairchild (No. 840, 

 February 11, 1902), April 4, 1902. 



"A white, edible gourd growing to a large size, H feet long by 8 inches in diam- 

 eter. It forms a pretty trellis plant in Jask, where the temperature rises to 110° F. 

 and no rain falls. It is grown by irrigation. It may prove of value in the Colorado 

 desert region. It is prepared by boiling in salt water like any of the squash family. 

 The leaves are large and the flowers are white with long tubes to the corolla." 

 (Fairchild.) 



8576. Vitis candicans. Mustang grape. 



From Tiger Mill, Texas. Presented by Mr. H. T. Fuchs to Hon. A. S. Burleson 

 and by him to this Department. Received April 7, 1902. 



Seeds of the finest wild grapes of Texas, according to Mr. Fuchs' letter. 



8577. Carica papaya. Papaw, 



From Mexico. Presented bv Mr. Elmer Stearns, 3226 Manitou avenue, Los 

 Angeles, Cal. Received March 29, 1902. 



"These seeds were from a fruit 6 inches long by 3 J inches in diameter, grown in 

 the hot country southwest of Guadalajara." (Stearns. ) 



8578. Opuntia sp. Prickly pear. 



From Guadalajara, Mexico. Presented by Mr. Elmer Stearns, 3226 Manitou 

 avenue, Los Angeles, Cal. Received March 29, 1902. 



Tuna Colorado. "These seeds were from a fruit 2 inches by 1J inches in diame- 

 ter. ' ' (Stearns. ) 



8579. Opuntia sp. Prickly pear. 



From City of Mexico, Mexico. Presented by Mr. Elmer Stearns, 3226 Manitou 

 avenue, Los Angeles, Cal. Received March 29, 1902, 



Tuna amarilla. 



