BY T. MORRIS MACKXIGHT, F.L»S. 
99 
In the Hedjaz (which is the northern half of Arabia) the 
new fruit, called ruteb, conies in at the end of June and lasts 
two months. The people cannot therefore depend on the new 
fruit alone, but during the ten months of the year when no ripe 
dates can be procured principally subsist on date paste, called 
adjoue, which is prepared by pressing the fruit, when fully 
matured, into large baskets. “ When the dates are allowed to 
remain on the tree till they are quite ripe, and have ecome 
soft and of a high red colour, they are formed into a hard solid 
paste or cake called adjoue. This is obtained by pressing e 
ripe dates forcibly into large baskets, each containi^ a ou 
2cwt. In this state,” continues Burckliardt, “ the ^edoums 
export the adjoue, and in the market it is cut out o^ t e as e 
and sold by the pound. During the monsoon the ships from the 
Persian Gulf bring adjoue from Bussorah to Djidda for sale in 
small baskets weighing about lOlb. each ; this kin is pre erre 
to every other.” 
The date seeds or kernels are soaked for two da,ys in water, 
when they become softened, and are given to came s, cows, 
sheep instead of barley. There are shops in Me ^ hpTaars 
where nothing else is sold except date kernels, ^d the beggars 
are continually employed in all the main streets in picking up 
those that are thrown away. 
The best fruit is that which is gathered just before it is ripe 
md is exposed to the sun for several days to 
=r.,hea d.te, which arrive to Engtod m balk are 
iamaged, having ripened on the “ ^the 
„me beanlM daWs in London on the •‘•to ' Jtb.ee 
earn, w.j ae rtoetae. have the abort ijl.oele left “ 
aeain I have seen in Port Said dates, prepared somewhat 
ae w.'ofien e»,thentmehope to Brisbane, jbjP'L JS. 
leuppoee, the refue. of the date grove. ” 
eoftles. This is ‘b* 
dates of Upper Egypt and the cHmate the richer is 
most delicate. The hotter an ^ 
the date, and near bf BonLk, 
animals, as mentioned m 
1886. 
