21 PERSIAN GULF DATES. 



there. This fruit was not seen on the market and only seeds were 

 obtainable during the writer's short stay, but suckers may possibly be 

 obtained through correspondence with the United States vice-consul, 

 Mr. Rudolph Hi'irner, of Bagdad. 



Mirhage. A variety reported to be grown in Mandalay, some three 

 days' journey from Bagdad. Sheik Abdul Kader Kedery, of Bagdad, 

 said it was the finest date he knew, resembling the "Maktum," but of 

 even finer quality. It was not obtainable during the writer's stay, 

 but may possibly be had by correspondence with the United States 

 vice-consul in Bagdad. 



BASSORAH VARIETIES. 



JSerhi. (S. P. I. 8746.) Considered by man}' as the best soft date 

 in the region. Of medium size, not so sticky as the ordinary dates, 

 with small stone, no fiber, skin of amber to golden brown, of thin but 

 firm texture, tightly attached to the soft, luscious, rich-flavored, brown 

 flesh. The most productive of all sorts in the Bassorah region, accord- 

 ing to Hadji Abdulla Nigem. Up to the present time not exported, 

 but sure to form one of the highest-priced export dates to America 

 because of its dry skin and exceptional lusciousness. An easy variety 

 to cultivate, but requiring an abundance of water. Grown in a stiff 

 adobe soil. 



Htvezi. (S. P. I. 8747.) A date resembling the standard market 

 sorts like "Halawi," but of a much more delicious flavor. Samples 

 sent to New York were pronounced by date buyers the finest dates 

 they had ever tasted. Color light, size medium, ripening in Septem- 

 ber in Bassorah. A little-known sort from Abu Kassib, the Bassorah 

 date center. 



Sayer (or Ustaamran). (S. P. I. 8748.) A soft date of medium size 

 and dark color, with medium-sized stone and a small amount of fiber. 

 One of the sorts at one time exported to New York; now superseded 

 by others. Said to do best on a light, sandy soil and to require less 

 water than the ordinary varieties. 



Halawi. (S. P. I. 8750.) There are probably as many bearing trees 

 of this one sort in Mesopotamia as of any other, as it is the great 

 shipping date and the favorite on American and London markets. It 

 is a medium-sized, soft date, of stick}' consistency, and ripens in Sep- 

 tember. The stone is medium to small; there is little fiber present, 

 and the light-brown skin of delicate texture sticks closely to the flesh, 

 which is abundant and of a deep-brown color, golden toward the stone. 

 It possesses a strong date flavor and is of unusual sweetness. It is one 

 of the best packing dates, as it keeps well and can be sent all over the 

 world. A fairly productive sort, but confined in its culture to an 

 adobe soil with plenty of water. It is not grown outside of the Bas- 

 sorah region, it is said. 



