26 PERSIAN GULF DATES. 



every year, coming' from the Semail Valley, 50 miles in the interior. 

 A medium-sized date, longer and narrower than the "Halawi" or 

 "Khadrawi," and belonging to the soft, stick} T t} T pe. Stone medium 

 large, with little fiber about it. The skin is of firm texture and dark 

 brown in color, fitting closely to the deep amber-colored flesh, which 

 is of a strong, rich, date flavor, but not of quite such fine texture as the 

 "Halawi" or "Berhi." As a packing date it is the best in the region, 

 although maturing late in the season for Maskat, i. e., in August. It 

 is adapted to the hottest regions of America and probably to a sandier 

 soil than that suited to the "Halawi.' 1 



Burnt. (S. P. I. 8755.) See "Burni" of Bagdad (S. P. I. 8742) for 

 the description of a date which the writer believes to be the same as 

 this Maskat " Burni." 



Nagal. (S. P. I. 8756.) A small, soft, sticky date, ripening before 

 any other sort in Maskat — as early as June — and eaten exclusively as 

 rattab or in fresh condition. It has a light-colored skin, and its flesh 

 is inferior in flavor to " Fard," but it is keenly appreciated by Euro- 

 peans as well as Arabs, because the first fresh date brought to the mar- 

 ket. Of particular interest to American date growers, on account of 

 its earliness, which may enable it to ripen good fruit farther north 

 than the other sorts. Secured through the kindness of United States 

 Vice-Consul Mackirdy at Maskat. 



Muhsali. (S. P. I. 8757.) A long, narrow, unusually large variety, 

 cultivated for boiling purposes. Stone large and with some little 

 fiber about it. Prepared for market by boiling the still unripe fruits 

 for an hour in water to which a large handful of salt per gallon has 

 been added, and diying in the sun. After this preparation the flesh 

 is hard and tastes like candy, but it is generally slightly astringent, 

 particularly if improperly prepared. There is a large demand in India 

 for this date, where it is used at wedding and other feasts, and big 

 prices are paid for it, making it, it is said, the most profitable date 

 grown about Maskat. 



Khanezi. (S. P. I. 8758.) An almost globular date of the soft, 

 sticky type, consumed locally in Maskat as rattab, ripening in July, 

 and considered one of the best of the early dates. Not a packing sort, 

 and keeping only a short time. From the valley of Semail, 50 miles 

 in the interior. 



Khassab. (S. P. I. 8759.) A soft, sticky date of red color, some- 

 what shorter than the "Fard " and ripening in August. Not shipped, 

 but eaten fresh or soon after ripening. One of the heaviest yielders 

 in the region, a single tree bearing, according to rough estimates, as 

 much as 150 pounds. From the Semail Valley, and suited to culture 

 in the hottest regions of the United States. 



ILUali (S. P. I. 8760.) A round date of the shape of an English 

 walnut, but smaller, with light-yellow skin, borne in exceptionally 



