190 SEEDS AND PLANTS [MPOETED. 



15000 to 15210 Continued. 



the seed broad at both ends, aboul one-half as long as the fruit, one-half as 

 wide as long, very rough. 



The leaves are long and broad, and rather stiff and heavy, crowded with 

 wry numerous long leaflets, and their stalks are armed almost thruout their 

 iength with long, stout spines. The fruit clusters are short and dense, their 

 stalks bright yellow, rather short, stout, and only moderately curved, so that 

 the bundles do not hang down below the leav< s as in the Deglel Noor, bu1 are 

 ahno.-t hidden by the foliage. 



This produces fruit that is thoughl by many of the native-, and even by 

 Borne of the few Europeans who have tasted it. to .surpass the Deglel Noor; is 

 at least equal in quality to the Deglet Noor, which it considerably resembles 

 in flavor. In size Menakher datesare ij to nearly 2 times as large as those 

 of the Deglel Noor variety; in color they are generally darker. The seed, tho 

 thick, is short in proportion to the length of the fruit. It i< very differenl in 



appearance from thai of the Deglel Noor. The thick, translucent llesh, altho 



soi't and sirupy, becomes firm when preserved, just as does that of the Deglet 

 Noor. If preserved with any care Menakher dates keep their shape admirably. 

 Tlie skin does not become sticky but remains dry and clean, which is a very 

 desirable property in a desserl fruit. An objectionable feature is the strong 

 development of the white, stringy core. This diminishes perceptibly, however, 

 in thoroly ripe fruit. The consensus of opinion is that in point of appearance, 

 cleanness of -kin, keeping quality, and delicacy of flavor the Menakher dates 

 surpass the I >eglet Noor, while the latter are superior in the crisper texture of 

 the flesh and small development of the Btringy core, or "rag." 



This variety ripens it- fruit- in the latter part of ( Ictober. It is said to yield 

 little during the firsl few years after the offshoots are planted, hut afterwards 

 surpasses the Deglel Noor in yield, on,, palm producing sometimes 220 pounds 



Of dates. 



15046. Mokh Begru, or Moukh Begri. 



A second-class "sofl " variety; fruit lj to IJ inches long, about three-fourths 

 as wide, broadest at the base, and narrowed thence to the broad, rounded 

 apex, flattened on the -ides, bright hay colored when ripe, the llesh very 

 soft, about I' hues thick, rather dark colored, translucent; the seed lighl 

 brown, one-half to two. third- as long as the fruit, about twice as long as wide, 



rounded at both ends. The -talks and branch) - of the fruit cluster- are light 



orange. 



The tree -.-are said not to hear heavily. The dates are rather small and have 

 an unusual shape. The translucenl llesh is ven soft, bul the fruit is said to 

 preserve well. It is very sweet and of delicious flavor, resembling and perhaps 

 equaling the Deglet Noor. Fruit ripens in the latter part of October. 



15047. Okht Ammary. 



Said to resemble Ammary, but to be larger. Reported to ripen at the end 

 of September and not to keep well. 



15048. Okht !'<■ r< rich, Oukht Ftimi.) 



A second-class ' soft" date-; fruit 2 to - inches long, about two-fifths as 

 wide, oblong, straight, somewhat pointed at the apex, deep purplish maroon 

 when ripe, the surface shining; the llesh 2\ to 3 lines thick, soft; the seed 

 slender, about one-half as long as the fruit, only two-seventh- as wide as long; 

 dark brown. The stalks and branches of the fruit clusters are rich orange. 

 The many fruit dusters are short-stalked and almost hidden by the foliage. 



The very handsome fruit is longer and more slender than that of Fteemy, 

 and is often brighter colored, but is. otherwise very similar. In regard to 

 flavor, no difference could he detected. Altho very soft and sirupy. the fruits 

 preserve well. Okht Fteemy palms give a good crop every year and are very 

 productive. These dates are not generally ripe before November. Among 

 the most alkali-resistant varieties. 



15049. Remta. 



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



wide, oblong, somewhat pointed at the apex, generally distinctly constricted 



a little above the base, dark maroon colored when ripe; the flesh about 1 



line thick, rather tough; the seed one-half to two-thirds as long as the fruit, 



97 



