Dates (FR., Dattes ; GER., Datteln).—The name dates is applied to the fruit of the date-palm (Phenix dactylifera),. handsome tree, 60-80 ft. high, found from the Canaries, through N. Africa, to India and S.-E. Asia. Although the countries where the date flourishes best are characterized by absence of rain, the tree will not fruit unless its roots are well watered. The best trees are produced from slipped plants; those raised from seed are much slower in maturing, and generally poor. The slip is taken from the foot of the stem of an adult tree; when first planted, it must be watered daily for 6 weeks, and on alternate days for another 6 weeks, after which, the trees are watered once a week in summer, and every month in winter. The nut does not commence to germinate for 6-12 months after planting, and grows very slowly for the first 2 years. The trees yield fruit in 5-6 years, but do not come into full bearing for 20-25 years, after which, they continue fruitful for about 150 years. Trees in full bearing produce 8-10 bunches, each containing 12-20 lb. of fruit ; taking an average of 144 lb. a tree, and 100 trees a hectare (2i acres), the product is about 50 cwt. an acre. One tree has been known to yield 4 cwt. The dates of N. Africa are superior to any others. The region of Ziban, south of the province of Constantine, in Algeria, is conspicuous for extended and careful culture and superior fruit. Laghouat, in the province of Alger, is another centre. Tunis possesses about 2,000,000 trees. In Egypt, there are 4,000,000 female trees, yielding annually about 5,000,000 cwt. ; those of Upper Egypt and the Oasis are the most delicate. Bussora (Turkey) has enormous date-groves, stretching along both banks of the Euphrates and Shat-el-Arab for a distance of over 140 miles, yielding 40,000-60,000 tons in good seasons, about half of which is exported. The best fruit is that which is gathered just before it is ripe, and is exposed to the sun for several days, to mature. The crushed dates, which arrive here in bulk, are inferior and damaged, having ripened on the trees, and fallen. Of the numerous varieties of the date locally distinguished, that best known in Europe is called Beglet nour. The approximate comparative values of the sorts imported into England are :—Tafilat, 70-84s. a cwt. ; Egyptian, 28-45s. ; Bussora, 13-21s. Our imports are not enumerated. The most recent statistics concerning exports are as follows :—Mogador, in 1878, exported 2 casks, value 51., to Portugal ; Tripoli shipped 500/. worth in 1878, and 3500/. in 1879; Tangier, in 1878, sent 816 cwt., value 18361., to Great Britain and Colonies ; Bagdad, in 1878, despatched 23,617 cwt., value 8588/., to Europe ; the values of all Egyptian exports in 1879 were 11,800/. to Austria, 9000/. to Great Britain, 6050/. to Turkey, 6801. to Greece, 660/. to France, and 30801. to other countries.
Figs (Fa., Figues ; GER., Feigen).—The edible fig is the fruit of Ficus Carica, a small tree, 15 20 ft. high. Its native country extends from the steppes of the E. Aral, along the S. and S.-W. coasts of the Caspian, through Kurdistan, to Syria and Asia Minor. It is found on the plains of N.-W. India, and on the outer hills of the N.-W. Himalaya, up to 5000 ft., as well as in the Deccan, Afghanistan, and Beluchistan. In Asia Minor, it is met with wild at 4800 ft. The tree was early introduced into Mediterranean Europe ; and in the United States, with protection in winter, succeeds as far north as Pennsylvania. Commercial supplies of figs come most largely from Asiatic
Turkey, especially the country in the vicinity of Smyrna. Although the tree flourishes in nearly every part of Greece, it is cultivated on a considerable scale only in the provinces of Messenia, Calames, Andros, Carystie, Tenos, and Pylie. In 1875, the plantations occupied 6348 hectares (of 24 acres), and produced about 242,000 cwt., or an average of 1700 lb. an acre. Several districts in Italy and Spain also furnish minor quantities, and Majorca has recently commenced an export trade with France. The soil and climate south of the Dividing Range, in Victoria, are well adapted to fig culture.
There are a great many varieties of the tree. Under cultivation, two crops yearly are generally produced—one in early summer, from the buds of the last year ; another in autumn, from the buds of spring growth. The latter is the more important. The aid of hymenopterous insects is necessary for the fertilization of the flowers. When ripe, the figs are not left to dry and shrivel on the trees, but are plucked, and placed on light trays, exposed to sun and air, great care being taken to protect them from rain and dew. They become either "natural," or "pulled." The former are left to dry in their natural form, and are packed without compression ; the latter, which are the finest, are kneaded and flattened during the drying, and are packed " in layers," with considerable compression, in small boxes, or rush baskets. The flattening process is carried .to an unreasonable degree, and often causes the fruit to split, when its quality deteriorates. The best Smyrna figs are labelled " eleme," a corruption of a Turkish word meaning "hand-picked." The merits of a good flg are a thin akin, the weds visible through it, and the pulp dark and luscious. The quality seema rather inclined towards retrogression. Figs grown elsewhere than in Turkey are inferior in size, flavour. and packing. The saccharine efflorescence is of natural origin.
The exports of figs from Bagdad in 1878, were 35 cwt., value 7001., to Europe and India. The crop in Thessaly fell from 653,000 des (of 2i lb.) in 1877, to 225,000 in 1878, and 46,000 in 1879. The exports from Syra in 1877 were :—To Great Britain (including raisins) 6891.; Austria, 125/. The Calamata crop in 1878 went chiefly in barrels to Taganrog, Odessa, and Trieste. The exports seawards from Brindisi in 1878 went principally (about 700,000 kilo.) to Austria, to be roasted and ground, for the purpose of adulterating coffee. In 1879, the Brindisi exports were 993,917 kilo. to Austria, 19,716 kilo. to France, besides other shipments. Malaga exported 14,217 cwt. of figs in 1878. Huelva, in 1877, shipped 2100 boxes, value 5251., to Great Britain. Our imports in 1879 were :—From Asiatic Turkey, 85,295 cwt., 183,1271. ; Spain, 9088 cwt., 96061.; other countries, 10,944 cwt., 11,8781. The duty is 7s. a cwt. The approximate relative market values are:— Turkey, layers, new, 33-100s. a cwt. ; natural, 30-35s. ; Spanish, &c., 20-24, Lemons (FR. Limons, Citrons ; GER., Limonen, Citronen).—Lemoos are the fruit of Citrus Limonum, a tree of 10-15 ft. in height, indigenous to the forest of N. India, Kumaon, and Sikkim, found scattered in gardens in 'many sub-tropical countries, and cultivated industrially in Italy, Sicily, Corsica, Spain, Portugal, and Florida.