Gansel's Bergamotte
Pear
Gansel's Bergamotte
Origin/History
According to Lindley (as cited by Bunyard), Gansel's Bergamotte was raised by Lt.-Gen. Gansel at Donneland Hill, Colchester, from a seed of Autumn Bergamotte, about 1768. The variety is referenced in the Herefordshire Pomona, Vol. II, p. 53.
Tree
Growth is weak and straggling, with moderate fertility (Bunyard). Gansel's Bergamotte does best when double grafted and requires a wall to bring its fruits to perfection (Bunyard). The leaf is round oval, entire, and undulating (Bunyard).
Conflicting account: Veitch & Sons describe the tree as a good grower, which is at odds with Bunyard's characterization of weak, straggling growth.
Fruit
Size
Fairly large, measuring approximately 2¾ inches by 2½ inches (Bunyard). Veitch describes the fruit as medium to large.
Form
Flattened round (Bunyard).
Stem
Medium length, fleshy, set in a moderately deep cavity (Bunyard).
Cavity
Moderate in depth (Bunyard).
Calyx
Eye open (Bunyard).
Basin
Shallow (Bunyard).
Skin
A little rough in texture. Color is pale yellowish-green with a red-brown flush and russet flecks (Bunyard).
Flesh/Flavor
Flesh white, melting, remarkably sweet and richly flavored, with a slight grittiness (Bunyard). Veitch describes a high, strong flavor and rates the fruit "very good," calling it one of the finest pears.
Core/Seeds
Not described in source.
Season
Conflicting accounts: Bunyard places the season in November to December. Veitch & Sons give September and October. These accounts diverge by approximately two months.
Uses
Dessert (Bunyard).
Subtypes/Variants
Not described in source.
Other
Not described in source.
Book Sources
Described in 1 period pomological work
View original book sources (2)
— E.A. Bunyard, A Handbook of Hardy Fruits (1920)GANSELL'S BERGAMOTTE. Her. Pom., II., 53. G. Rote Dechantsbirne. (Brocas Bergamotte, Bonne Rouge.) Dessert, November to December, fairly large, 2¾ by 2½, flattened round. Skin, a little rough. Colour, pale yellowish-green with red-brown flush and russet flecks. Flesh, white, melting, remarkably sweet and richly flavoured; a little gritty. Eye, open in a shallow basin. Stem, medium, fleshy in a moderate deep cavity. Growth, weak, straggling; fertility moderate. Leaf, round oval, entire, undulating. Origin, according to Lindley this was raised by Lt.-Gen. Gansel at Donneland Hill, Colchester, from a seed of Autumn Bergamotte, about 1768. A weak grower, doing best when double grafted. It requires a wall to bring its fruits to perfection.
— James Veitch & Sons, Veitch's Fruit Trees (1911) (1911)medium, large and very good, with a high, strong flavour. One of the finest pears. A good grower Sept. & Oct.