22 PERSIAN GULF DATES. 



taken in spelling the names in the list given below and the numbers 

 which correspond with detailed descriptions that have been made out 

 for the records of the Office of Seed and Plant Introduction and Dis- 

 tribution and which accompany young plants or seeds of the various 

 sorts that have been sent to the United States Department of Agri- 

 culture or to the trial gardens in Arizona have been put opposite the 

 names. The dried dates of some varieties have been secured to assist 

 in the meager descriptions. 



BAGDAD VARIETIES. 



Kustawi. (S. P. I. 8738 a ). A medium to large, oblong, soft, sticky 

 date, ripening in August, with stone of small size and little or no fiber 

 or u rag." Skin a light golden brown, very delicate in texture and 

 adhering to the soft golden flesh, which is of exquisitely rich, sweet 

 date flavor. Too delicate for packing in the usual way, though keep- 

 ing well until April. Said to be fairly productive, but a delicate tree, 

 suited to adobe soils with an admixture of sand, and will withstand a 

 temperature of 17° F. , or possibly lower. 



Ascherasi. (S. P. I. 8739.) A medium-sized, ovate, semidry date, 

 ripening in September, generall} T not sticky, but easily handled with- 

 out soiling the fingers. Stone small in comparison with the flesh. 

 Some fiber, but not an objectionable amount. Skin of stem end dry, 

 straw colored, but at tip translucent and of amber hue; of medium 

 thickness and closeh T attached to the rather hard but sugary, sweet 

 flesh, which is of excellent flavor. As seen in March in Bagdad, these 

 dates are not packed in mat bags or boxes, but are solol in dry shape. 

 Grown in adobe soil, and reported to be a vigorous sort, hard} T at 

 17° F., or even lower, and in special favor among both Christians and 

 Mussulmans, the former of whom, however, prefer it to all other sorts 

 to eat with English walnuts. 



Bedrailie. (S. P. I. 8740.) A small, ovate to oblong, dry date, ripen- 

 ing late in September. Not at all sticky, with good-sized stone, and 

 more or less fiber about it. Skin straw color, with occasional trans- 

 lucent amber-colored spots near the tip; of parchment texture and 

 sticking closed to the dry flesh, which is full of sugar. Not packed, 

 but allowed to dry on the tree, though when fresh of soft consistency 

 like ordinaiy sorts. Eaten as commonly by Bagdadians as any sort of 

 date; eas} 7 of cultivation and capable of withstanding a winter tem- 

 perature of 17° F., and possibly lower. Grown in adobe soil by 

 irrigation. 



Maktum. (S. P. I. 8741.) According to the description given the 

 writer, a superior sort of the ci Kustawi," but resembling it closely. 



« The numbers in parentheses refer to the records of the Office of Seed and Plant 

 Introduction and Distribution, U. S. Department of Agriculture. 



