DATE CULTURE IN EGYPT AND THE SUDAN 35 
In both Egypt and the Sudan there is a marked preference for off- 
shoots from dry gardens, where the water supply has been scant and 
the growth slow, hard, and woody. Owners of such gardens are 
often able to demand for their offshoots double the prices that are 
realized for offshoots on lands near the river which have been over- 
watered and have a high ground-water table. Again, a small off- 
shoot of hard, firm texture will be chosen in preference to one much 
larger of soft, sappy growth. 
OFFSHOOT PRODUCTION ON OLD DATE PALMS 
In gardens where the offshoots have not been cut while young and 
livestock, especially sheep and goats, have been allowed to graze 
among the trees, a curious condition often results. With the brows- 
ing off of the tops of the old offshoots new ones start from their 
bases, and these being more tender are again browsed off. The 
result is a perfect thicket of offshoots of all ages and sizes like a 
rudely trimmed hedge (pi. 5, B). 
This habit has been especially noted in the Saidy (Sewi) variety 
in the rich bottom lands of Giza Province. It is a trait likely to 
prove of great value in hastening the propagation of this variety, 
of so much importance to southern California and Arizona, as well 
as in cases where offshoot production of other scarce varieties is 
specially desired. In America this principle can doubtless be ap- 
plied in a more workmanlike way than the accidental one of Egypt, 
and a greatly increased production of Saidy offshoots may result. 
Offshoots from the side of the trunk above the ground and without 
roots are little valued in Egypt. On the other hand, at a meeting of 
the omdas and other leading men of the villages, held upon the call 
of Governor Jackson at the governor's palace at Merowe, Dongola 
Province, September 20, 1913, one of the omdas declared : " If an off- 
shoot springs from the trunk of a tree quite a distance from the 
ground it is very valuable and more sure to breed quite true to the 
variety than one coming from the ground at the foot of the tree." 
This idea may find an explanation in the fact that it is not uncommon 
for seedling trees to spring up at the base of an old tree, generally 
from its own seed, and such have occasionally been removed and 
sold as offshoots. These when fruited prove not true to the variety, 
though perhaps bearing a strong resemblance to it. 
Observations in Egypt agree with experience in the United States 
in showing that the production of offshoots on the trunk of the 
date palm is first of all a varietal trait, but is also in a measure 
governed by the presence of ground water or by the character of 
irrigation. Of the important Egyptian varieties, the Hayany produces 
trunk offshoots the most freely and continues to produce them high 
up on the trunk, a trait which is much in evidence in this country. 
The Saidy has shown but a slight tendency in this direction and 
the Amhat practically none. 20 The season for cutting offshoots in 
Egypt is preferably February and March, with August for second 
choice. 
20 The Rhars variety, from the AlgeriaD Sahara, has a strong tendency in America to 
produce offshoots high on the trunk. 
