1872. ] 
GARDEN GOSSIP. 
239 
from a recent personal inspection of the stock, that it is thoroughly constant; not a plant, 
large or small, shows the least tendency to run back. There is, as we have said, nothing 
whatever but the colour to distinguish this from the type form of Juniperus chinensis. The 
original plant, which stands about 12 feet high, and the upper half of which is a mass of 
gleaming golden spray, is a conspicuous object from the high road in passing the Milford 
Nursery. The golden portion originated in a sport of one of the leading shoots, and now 
forms the entire apex of the plant, the lower half being of the ordinary green form. The 
colouration is not variegation strictly so called—not a sprinkling of yellow twigs or yellow 
leaves over portions of the spray, but the whole plant is suffused with it as if it had been 
bathed in gold, and this colour becomes the more intense the more fully and freely the plant is 
exposed to the light and the sunshine. Our notes indicate that the propagated plants take on 
a close pyramidal habit, and have, moreover, the twofold character of foliage which is seen in 
the parent, and that the colour on the more prominent portions of the plants is as bright as 
the tint of a golden Holly. Taking these various points into account, and coupling with them 
the free-growing hardy character of the plant, there is no exaggeration in pronouncing this 
novelty to be one of the best and most desirable of ornamental Conifers. 
- ^he Great International Fruit and Flower Show of the Glasgow and 
West of Scotland Horticultural Society, took place on September 11th and 
following days. The display of Fruit was a remarkably fine one, the exhibits 
being good and abundant, without being extraordinary, except in the case of Grapes, of which 
there was produced a cluster of the Syrian, the largest and heaviest example on record in 
modem times. The Vegetable department was thoroughly well represented. Plants, as 
might have been expected at this season of the year, were mostly represented by what are 
called foliage plants, very few flowering plants fit for exhibition remaining in blossom. 
Gf Cut Flowers, such as Dahlias, Hollyhocks, and Gladioli, the display was satisfactory. 
Altogether nothing but fine weather was wanting to its complete success, but the elements 
proved most inauspicious. The competition in Grapes was the special feature of the show. 
In the class for eight varieties, one bunch of each, there were three very excellent exhibitions. 
Mr. J. Hunter, gardener to the Earl of Durham, Lambton Castle, Durham, who staged the largest 
bunches, although not superior in finish to the others, being awarded the 1st prize. His 
collection consisted of Black Alicante, Aramon or Burchardt’s Prince, Raisin de Calabre, 
Black Hamburgh, Muscat of Alexandria, large and fine Golden Champion, splendid examples 
of Muscat Trovdren, and Barbarossa (Gros Guillaume). Mr. Fowler, of Castle Kennedy, was 
2nd with a small but splendidly finished bunch of Muscat, good Muscat Hamburgh, Golden 
Champion, Black Hamburgh, Lady Downe’s, and very fine Trebbiano, Alicante, and Barbarossa. 
Mr. Johnston, of Glamis, took tire 3rd place with perhaps the best examples of Golden 
Champion that have ever been seen, splendid Muscat of Alexandria, and Buckland Sweet¬ 
water, ripened to such a degree that it had assumed almost a white hue, which did not 
improve its appearance. The 1st prize for four varieties of Muscat was worthily won by 
Mr. Fowler, of Castle Kennedy, who also obtained the same honours for the single bunch of 
Muscat. The bunch, although not equal in size to others, was well finished. In the general 
classes for Black Grapes, Mr. Fowler was again 1st for the two bunches of Black Hamburgh. 
Good examples of Muscat Hamburgh were shown, the 1st prize going to Mr. Fowler, who was 
also 1st for Lady Downe’s, his samples being very large in berry for that variety. For the 
best single bunch of Black Hamburgh the 1st prize was awarded to Mr. T. Boyd, Oaklea, 
Galashiels. The prize for the best-flavoured Grapes was awarded to an example of the 
Muscat of Alexandria, in opposition to Duchess of Buccleuch and others. The prize for the 
Grape possessing the best bloom was awarded to an example of Barbarossa (Gros Guillaume), 
shown under the name of Pennington Hall Hambro’; the bloom on this was very perfect. 
For the heaviest bunch of a White Grape there were two extraordinary exhibits. Mr. Fowler, 
of Castle Kennedy, staged one of White Syrian weighing 14 lb. 11 oz., but this was far out- 
weighted by the example of the same variety from Mr. Dickson, gardener to J. Jardine, Esq., 
Arkleton, Langholm, who exhibited the largest bunch that has of late years been recorded, 
namely, 19 lb. 5 oz., measuring over 2 ft. in length and diameter. For the best new Grape 
the 1st award was made to Mr. Thomson, of the Tweedside Vineyards, Galashiels, for splendid 
examples of the Duke of Buccleuch, which, now that they have become more ripe, were of a 
pretty amber hue; this is a great and valuable acquisition. 
- ^he Berkheya ( Stohoea) purpurea is one of the most beautiful of herba¬ 
ceous plants. It lias recently flowered in the garden of Mr. Wilson Saunders. 
The plant is thistle-like in aspect as to stem and leaves, but the flower-heads, 
which measure 3 in. across, are more like those of a single Dahlia, and indeed remind 
