VARIETIES. 23 



being a soft, sticky date, with small stone, no fiber, and a beautiful 

 golden-brown skin which adheres closely to the golden, brownish- 

 yellow flesh. The sort ripens probably about the same time as the 

 "Kustawi," i. e.. in August, and is doubtless a delicate variety to culti- 

 vate. This date is considered by the Arab sheik Abdul Kader 

 Kedery. of Bagdad, one of the best two sorts in Arabia. 



Burnt. (S. P. I. s ~±'2. ) A small, short, oblong date, ripening in 

 July or August in Maskat. When fresh, highly appreciated as a 

 table date, but generally boiled to form the "Karak pokhta" before 

 fully ripe. Formerly -hipped to America from Maskat. It is thought 

 that this variety i- of Maskat origin, for it i> little known in Bagdad. 

 It will probably prove more susceptible to cold than other sorts from 

 Bagdad. Grown in adobe -oils. 



Zehedi. (S. P. I. ^743.) A -mall, oblong, dry date, ripening in 

 September to October. Stone of medium size and surrounded with 

 considerable liber. Skin straw colored and tough, sticking closely to 

 the dry but sweet, mealy flesh of fair flavor. Sometimes packed in 

 bag- or ca-es and called "Kursi," but generally allowed to dry on 

 the tree. This is said to be the hardiest, most resistant to drought 

 and alkali, and one of the most productive palms in the region. 

 Although considerably inferior to the "Bedraihe," it nevertheless 

 develop> so quickly and yields -o heavily that it is very commonly 

 planted. Often -old fresh attached to the clusters as "Zehedi gus." 

 In the form called "Kursi" it is of a golden-yellow color, but much 

 inferior in flavor to "Kustawi " or "Khadrawi." One of the commonest 

 dates in Bagdad. 



Barban. (S. P. I. ^744.) A date ripening at Bagdad, according 

 to information given by a grower, in July, and of only mediocre 

 quality. Very dark in color and not very sweet. Rarely cultivated 

 in the region and not well thought of generally. Valuable principally 

 for it- early ripening habit and probable re-i<tance to cold. 



Sukeri. (S. P. I. s745.) A very large date. '2 inches or more in 

 length, and. when fresh, of excellent quality. Rarely cultivated and 

 the writer could not learn much about it. except that it i- not a good 

 variety for shipment. 



Taberml. (S. P. I. s7'.>4. ) From dry specimens sent in. the writer 

 was unable to obtain a good idea of this date, but should describe it 

 as a -mall, oblong, soft variety, which ripen- late in September. It 

 has a -mall -tone, no fiber (or at least extremely little), and a dark, 

 amber-colored skin, which separates readily in dry specimens from the 

 dark-brown flesh. The latter i- of a caramel consistency, bur ha- a 

 most delicious flavor, and the variety can be eaten without soiling 

 the hands, as the skin i- quite dry. When fresh, -aid to resemble very 

 closely the "Berhi." of Bassorah, though when dry there is scarcely 

 any resemblance. A rare date in Bagdad, but very highly thought of 



