615 
variety of It that we appear to have) is much appreciated in 
America. We also use It largely for stocks. The Bedana 
(seedless) grape was also another fruit that attracted Messrs. 
Popenoe's attention. Altogether I am In hopes that these es- 
timable young gentlemen found their visit a fairly profitable 
one. As a return they have enlightened me as to their condi- 
tions in California to the extent that I have almost decided 
to make It my home when I retire which I hope to do in 3 or 4 
years or so." 
OMAN. Mascat. Mr. F. W. Popenoe writes, Oct. 29, 1912: 
"I am just back from Wadi Semail, one of the most interesting 
trips I ever made, and I am loaded to the guards with facts, 
and descriptions of 40 varieties of dates, mostly new to sci- 
ence. Best of all, I found there were 1000 or more trees of 
the Khalas there, so that relieves the situation, and makes it 
possible, I believe, for me to get this date into California. 
I had one opportunity to taste the fruit, and It is certainly 
all that you say it is. 
"Most of the plantations there are set out in regular 
order, a feature that is probably found in no other of the 
world's great date growing regions, save Morocco; and I sus- 
pect this to be the only one where it is the practice to root 
all offshoots in nursery rows. 
"The date season (which lasts 5 months; the var. Hilali 
is not yet ripe) is the only time of year when the road to 
Semail Is sure to be open, and even then It is an uncertain 
thing, as I found out by personal experience. It is therefore 
no certainty that I will be able to get the offshoots out of 
there when I am ready to ship, but I have every expectation of 
doing so, in which case I will be able to offer you some very 
interesting facts. 
"Mr. Brett, the consul here, went into the valley with 
me, and we were personal guests of the Sultan - that is what 
comes from having a little government encouragement. 
"We had a caravan of 11 of the Sultan's best camels and 
everything was made extremely pleasant for us. Unfortunately, 
Wilson was obliged to stay here with a touch of fever." 
(Issued: January 22, 1913.) 
