DECEMBER, 1903, TO DECEMBER, 1905. 189 



15000 to 15210— Continued. 

 15040 Khali Mooashem. 



A second-class "soft" date; fruit If to 1| inches long, about one-half as 

 wide, egg-shaped, narrowed from about the middle to the rounded apex, keep- 

 ing its shape perfectly when preserved; dark prune purple when ripe, the skin 

 mostly adhering very closely to the flesh, conspicuously marked with trans- 

 verse and longitudinal scars; the flesh about 2 lines thick, firm yet tender; 

 the seed about one-half as long as the fruit, nearly one-half as wide as long, 

 broadest near the middle, light brown, rough. The branches of the fruit clus- 

 ters are bright orange. 



The excellent fruit is characterized by its dark prune color, curiously 

 scarred skin, copious soft flesh, and very sweet, highly attractive flavor. 

 Apparently keeps perfectly. 



15041. Khavooby, or Kharroubi. 



A third-class "soft" variety; fruit, about 2 inches long, less than two-fifths as 

 wide, oblong, often somewhat wider near the apex than elsewhere, between 

 bay and maroon colored when ripe, the surface shining; the skin conspicu- 

 ously loosened and remaining light yellow; the flesh 1 to 2 lines thick, rather 

 soft and dark colored; the seed nearly three-fifths as long as the fruit, one- 

 third as wide as long, generally somewhat curved. The stalks and branches 

 of the fruit clusters are orange colored. 



Flesh of the ripe fruit of the consistency of jelly, moderately sweet, agree- 

 able in flavor, resembling Lagoo. Said to preserve well. Ripens in October. 



15042. Kseba, or (?) Kessebi. 



A second-class "dry" variety; fruit about l\ inches long, two-thirds as 

 wide, ovoid or oblong-ovoid, widest below the middle, purplish maroon or 

 bay when ripe: the flesh 2 to 2h lines thick, firm but tender; the seed very 

 nearly two-thirds as long as the fruit, two-fifths as wide as long, russet brown. 

 The branches of the fruit clusters are deep orange. The foliage is character- 

 ized by having few spines and these are slender and weak. 



The fruit, which preserves well, is very sweet and well flavored, in the lat- 

 ter respect being intermediate between Horra and Lagoo. Its fruits ripen in 

 October. 



15043. Lagoo. 



A second-class "soft" date; fruit nearly 2 inches long, four-ninths as wide, 

 oblong, tapering slightly to the apex, more or less curved, bay to light maroon 

 colored when ripe, the surface somewhat shining; the flesh about 2 lines 

 thick, rather tough, dark colored; the seeds slender, three-fifths to two-thirds 

 as long as the fruit, two-sevenths to one-third as wide as long, russet brown, 

 its surface roughened with fine wrinkles. The stalks and branches of the fruit 

 clusters are orange colored, the crown of foliage is rather small, the leaves 

 short and rather thick, with long, rather wide leaflets. 



One of the earliest kinds; said to ripen by the middle of September. The 

 fruit is of medium length, narrow, and dark colored when ripe. The flesh is 

 rather thin, but soft, very sweet, and of an agreeable, characteristic flavor, 

 somewhat resembling Rhars. It keeps well. 



15044. Lemsy. 



A second-class "dry" date; fruit H to 1| inches long, about one-half as 

 wide, elliptical in outline, not conspicuously narrowed toward the apex, often 

 slightly curved, dull purplish maroon when ripe; the flesh 1 to 2 lines thick, 

 becoming very firm and dry; the seed about two-thirds as long as the fruit, 

 generally one-third as wide as long. The branches of the fruit clusters are 

 orange colored. 



This is a small, thm-fleshed dry date, sometimes preserved, but usually eaten 

 fresh and even before it is perfectly ripe, as the flesh soon becomes dry and 

 hard. It is deliriously sweet and has a fine flavor, tasting somewhat like 

 chestnuts. Said to mature at the end of August. 



15045. Menakher. 



A first-class date of the "soft" type; fruit 2 to 2| inches long, about one- 

 half as wide, oblong, broad, and rounded at both ends, keeping its shape well 

 when preserved; brownish maroon when ripe; the flesh 2 to 2i lines thick; 

 97 



