THE 
FLORIST, FRUITIST, AND GARDEN 
MISCELLANY. 
THE BOWOOD MUSCAT GRAPE. 
(Plate 122.) 
This is a seedling whicli was raised at Bowood by Mr. Spencer, 
between the Cannon Hall and Muscat of Alexandria. It differs 
from both its parents in several important particulars. The 
bunches are broader and shorter than those of the common 
Muscat; the berries are larger, oval, and sometimes pear-shaped, 
of a yellowish white, changing to a deep amber when fully 
ripened. As every flower sets, the bunches are invariably full 
and compact, with the berries of a uniform size; it requires the 
bunches to be well thinned out to allow the berries to attain their 
full size. It has been proved to set well in a temperature com¬ 
paratively low, but it requires nearly the same amount of heat to 
ripen it as the common Muscat: although it comes to maturity 
rather earlier than that variety it keeps equally well, if not better. 
The habit is scarcely so strong as that of the Muscat, and it is 
eight or ten days later in breaking in the spring. It is a most 
prolific bearer, producing three and four bunches to each shoot, 
and has been proved to fruit admirably in pots. 
Bunches of the Bowood Muscat were sent in November last to 
the Horticultural Society for the opinions of Dr. Bindley and 
Mr. Thompson. At page 757 of the “Gardeners’ Chronicle” 
for Nov. 15, Dr. Bindley says, in reference to these specimens, 
“We have never seen a variety of greater promise, the appear¬ 
ance of the bunch and berries is most magnificent, the quality is 
much the same as the Cannon Hall Muscat.” 
Of this variety Mr. Thompson gives the following description 
—“ This is a very fine thing and perfectly distinct. The bunch 
is very large and well shouldered, with strong footstalks. Berries 
very large, oval, inclined to obovate. . . . The skin was greenish 
yellow, or of the same colour as that of the Muscat of Alexandria; 
but it was evident that the berries had not acquired the colour of 
complete maturity.* The flesh was firm, juicy, with a rich 
* It was explained that the bunches were scarcely ripe, owing to the Vines 
being in a pit which was retarded in the spring; under more favourable circum¬ 
stances they become of a deep amber, as shown in the plate, berries having been 
furnished to Mr. Andrews later, for the purpose of assisting him in making the 
colour correct to nature. 
VOL. X., NO. cix. 
B 
