470 Pomona College Journal of Economic Botany 



it undoubtedly prefers a sandy soil. At Baghdad the growers claim its quality 

 shows no deterioration; the annual yield is from 100 to 150 pounds. 



I secured about 400 palms of this variety from Oman and Hasa; it is 

 fully described in Bui. Cal. State Com. Ilort., Jan. '14. 



Khanayz'i, (name of a tribe), an Oman variety, occasionally found at 

 Busreh. Described in Bui. Cal. State Com. Hort., Jan. '14. 



Khasdh, "The Abundant Producer," a variety that seems to be native 

 of Oman, but is now becoming fairly common at Busreh, where it is valued 

 because of its late maturity — fresh dates can be had from it until almost the 

 first of December. It is rarely cured. 



In the bazar the date is usually seen attached to the cluster, and before 

 softening is of a bright, rose-red color, ovate-elliptical in form, widest near the 

 middle and tapering slightly toward both ends. As it softens the skin becomes 

 translucent and assumes a deep, reddish amber color, becoming sticky from 

 the exudation of syrup. 



The following description is of cured dates of this variety obtained in 

 the Busreh market : Form broadly oval to broadly ovate, widest at center 

 or slightly nearer basal end, thence tapering to the narrow, flattened base 

 and the broadly pointed apex, size medium, length one and one-fourth inches, 

 breadth seven-eighths inch. Surface irregular, reddish brown to prune purple 

 in color, overspread with a thin bluish bloom ; skin moderately thick, tough, 

 coarsely wrinkled, transversely and longitudinally, but generally adhering 

 closely to the flesh; flesh firm, tender, one-fourth to one-eighth inch in thick- 

 ness, translucent, deep amber colored ; seed oblong, round or blunt at base, 

 pointed at apex, three-fourths inch long, five-sixteenths broad, smooth, deep 

 grayish brown in color, ventral channel open, shallow, germ pore nearer base 

 than apex ; flavor sweet but lacking in character and with a rather strong 

 after-taste. 



Khasawi al Baghal, "The Ass's Testicles,"* a variety said to be common 

 and esteemed in Madina. It was introduced to Mesopotamia several genera- 

 tions ago but has never become widespread. The date is of large size, brown 

 in color; eaten either fresh or cured. 



KMyara, "Cucumber-like" (Persian), a soft date originating with 

 ]\Iullah Naji of Baghdad, who claims it is the best in Babylonia. Long, 

 slender, brownish-yellow, with a small seed. A heavy bearer and the bxinches 

 are very large ; ripens in August. The flavor when fresh suggests that of a 

 cucumber; packs and keeps well. Very rare. 



Kibkab, often spelled (and pronounced) Chibchab or Chipchap. The 

 word is Persian but its derivation uncertain ; the best native lexicographer 

 merely says it means "a palm which lets its fruits fall before they are ripe." 

 I incline to the meaning, "The Date of the Chab tribe (properly Kab, a pow- 

 erful and widespread tribe of nomads) on the left chib; (this is, the left bank 

 of the Tigris)." It is a fairly common date throughout the Persian gulf ; some- 



* Al Muqaddisi (died 985) who lists 45 varieties of Busreh dates in his book "Ahsan al 

 Taqdsfm" mentions Baydh al Baghal, "Ass's Eggs," which is very likely the same variety. 



