Palms cross-pollinate by wind, so when the date palms bloom, ranchers* put large plastic bags around the clusters. That way, only pollen from the same tree will fertilize the female flowers and produce juicy dates. Otherwise, dates would either not develop or they'd turn out small and hard - inedible. The bags also protect developing dates from the drying effects of sun and wind.

* Actually, ranchers' hapless helpers get the job of climbing up rickety ladders to tie the bags on. Rancher stands on the ground, smirking.

Did you know that date palms are CUT DOWN when they grow too high to safely climb?

Much more than you wanted to know about dates here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04oEg1nz0ZQ

Posted December 19, and THAT's a good date, too!