SEPTEMBER, 1900, TO DECEMBER, 1903. 223 



8754 to 8761— Continued. 



8755. 



Bur it i. "This is a light-colored date about the same size as the Fard, but 

 thinner, also from Semail. It ripens in Maskat in July. It was formerly 

 shipped to America, but was found to be a poorer keeper than the Fard, and 

 now it is no longer demanded. Because of its scarcity it sells for $50 Mexican 

 per 1,800 pounds." {FairchUd.) (No. 907.) 



8756. 



Xagal. "An early variety from Semail, 50 miles in the interior, ripening in 

 June. It is a light-colored date about 1\ inches long and three-fourths inch 

 in diameter. It is not as sweet as the Fard, but is highly prized because it is 

 the earliest date in the region. It is consumed locally and only in a fresh con- 

 dition. High prices are paid for it bv the Arabs. It is a soft sort, resembling 

 the Fard. ' ' ( FairchUd. ) ( No. 908. ) 



8757. 



Mubsali. "From Semail, 50 miles inland from Maskat. This date is a long, 

 large variety, which is picked before being ripe, boiled for an hour in salt 

 water, and then spread out in the sun to dry. (See Nos. 8563 and 8564. ) 

 These dates, which are as hard as stick candy, and almost as sweet, are sold 

 in India, where there is a big demand for them, and where higher prices are 

 paid than for the ordinary Fard variety. They sell for $80 Mexican per 

 1,800 pounds. This belongs to the Kara): pokhta class of dates, which are 

 served in India at every wedding and festival. They are sometimes eaten 

 fresh. It is the best paving date in Maskat. Suitable for dry, hot regions. 

 It ripens in July." {FairchUd. ) (No. 909. ) 



8758. 



Khanezi. "From Semail, 50 miles inland from Maskat. An almost round, 

 soft, very sweet sort, only consumed locally. It is a rare variety, ripening in 

 JuLv. It is eaten in the fresh state and considered one of the best of this 

 kind in Maskat. ' ' ( FairchUd. ) ( No. 910. ) 



8759. 



Khassab. "From Semail, 50 miles inland from Maskat. A red variety 

 when ripe, somewhat shorter in shape than the Fard. It ripens in August. 

 It is a soft variety, therefore not a shipping date. It is reported to be the 

 heaviest yielder of any, as much as 450 pounds being borne by a single tree. 

 It is not as sweet as the Fard, but is still of good quality." (FairchUd.) 

 (No. 911.) 



8760. 



Hellali. "From Semail, a date region 50 miles back of the town of Maskat. 

 It is as round fruited as a walnut, light colored and soft. It is not a packing 

 date but is used fresh. The bunches are exceedinglv large. A rare sort even 

 in Maskat . " ( Fa irch ild. ) ( No . 912. ) 



8761. 



"FacM or Fahel, meaning male date, from the valley of Semail, 50 miles in 

 the interior behind Maskat. This is the variety used in this great valley, 

 where half a million trees are grown, as the pollinator. It might be called 

 simply Semail Fahel, to distinguish it from the Egyptian Fahel or male sent in 

 1900. ' ' ( FairchUd. ) ( No. 913. ) 



8762 to 8785. Phoenix dactylifera. Date palm. 



From Kej, Baluchistan. Received through Messrs. Lathrop and Fairchild (Nos. 

 914 to 937, March 23, 1902), June 7, 1902. 



A collection of date palms secured through the kindness of Lieutenants Grant and 

 Maxwell, of the First Baluchistan Light Infantry, from Kej, a region six days by 



29861— No. 66- -05 15 



