192 SEEDS AND PLANTS IMPOKTED. 



15000 to 15210— Continued. 



what pointed at apex; briojht reddish brown when ripe; the flesh 1 to IJ lines 

 thick, rather tough, the darli-colored outer zone apparently much thicker than 

 the white inner portion. Seed about three-tifths as long as the fruit, rather 

 slender. The stalks and branches of the fruit clusters are rich orange colored. 

 It is one of the handsomest of the ' ' dry ' ' dates, and one of the most attractive 

 when preserved, keeping perfectly its shape and its beautiful, warm reddish 

 brown color. It has an agreeable, wholesome flavor, and can be eaten in 

 quantity without cloying. It matures in October. 



15057. Towadant. 



Fruit said to be very large and long, yellow, and of good flavor, ripening at 

 the same time as Fteemy and keeping well. 



15058. Tozer Zaid Kha la . 



A third-class "soft" variety; fruit Ih to If inches long, three-fifths to two- 

 thirds as wdde; obovoid or oblong, broad and rounded at apex, not keeping its 

 shape well when preserved; black when ripe; the flesh about 2 lines thick, 

 very soft and sirupy, nearly black; the setd about two-fifths as long as the 

 fruit, about two-fifths as wide as long; dark brown. 



Less common than Tozer Zaid Safra, which it very closely resembles in 

 appearance and flavor. 



15059. Tozer Zaid Safra. 



A third-class " soft " date; fruit 1^ to If inches long, generally four-sevenths to 

 two-thirds but som.etimes only one-half as wide as long; oblong or oblong egg- 

 shaped, widest near the middle, broad and rounded at the apex, not keeping its 

 shape well when preserved; the flesh Ik, lines thick, extremely soft and sirupy; 

 nearly black; the relatively large seed about one-half as long as the fruit, two- 

 fifths to one-half as wide as long, light brown. 



Flavor characteristic, much appreciated by the natives. Generally eaten 

 fresh, but sometimes preserved for a short time. Yields heavily. Fruit ripens 

 in the latter part of October. Said to be one of the four salt-resistant varieties. 



15060. Tronja, or Troundja. 



A first-class "soft" date; fruit perfectly round, or nearly so, IJ to nearly 2 

 inches in greatest diameter; maroon to prune purple when ripe; the flesh 4 to 

 5 lines thick, very sugaiy yet firm; the seed very thick, six-tenths to seven- 

 tenths as long as the fruit and about three-fifths as long as wide; much fur- 

 rowed. The foliage is dense, the leaves wide, crowded with leaflets, and droop- 

 ing gracefully at the ends. 



The fruit, which ripens in October, is remarkable for its large size, the thick- 

 ness of its flesh, and its globular shape. The short, very thick seed is also 

 characteristic. The flesh is very firm and even somewhat tough, extremely 

 sweet and very rich flavored, the flavor suggesting that of the Fteemy. 

 Tronja dates can not be eaten in large quantities, as their richness soon cloys, 

 but as a dessert fruit they are very promising. 



15061. Zrai. 



Fruit said to resemble Deglet Xoor in color, 



15062. Zekry. 



A second-class "soft" date; fruit l^ to near If inches long, about one-half 

 as wide, obovoid, keeping its shape fairly well when preserved, bay to maroon 

 when ripe; the flesh about IJ lines thick, moderately soft; the seed about 

 four-sevenths as long as the fruit, about two-fifths as wide as long. The stalks 

 and branches of the fruit clusters are orange colored. 



When perfectly ripe the flesh, altho rather thin, is soft and very sweet. 

 The flavor is characteristic, suggesting both chestnuts and persnnmons. Said 

 to yield heavily. 



15063. Menakher (?). 



15064. Meimkher (?) • 



15065 to 15210. 



One hundred and forty-six unidentified palms of Mr. Kearney's shipment, 

 which were planted in the Date Garden at Mecca, Cal. 



97 



