Date-groves spread widely over the land, and produced abundance of an excellent fruit.
For the cultivation of the date nothing was needed but a proper water supply, and a little attention at the time of fructification.

The male and female palm are distinct trees, and the female cannot produce fruit unless the pollen from the male comes in contact with its blossoms.

If the male and the female trees are grown in proper proximity, natural causes will always produce a certain amount of impregnation.

But to obtain a good crop, art may be serviceably applied.

According to Herodotus, the Babylonians were accustomed to tie the branches of the male to those of the female palm.