Gansel's late Bergamot
PearGansel's Late Bergamot
Origin / History
Raised from seed by a Mr. Williams of Pitmaston, England. The variety closely resembles Gansel Bergamot in shape and size, differing chiefly in its later season of maturity and, according to Elliott, in having less color when exposed to sun and flesh entirely free from granulations. It was considered a new variety recently introduced at the time of Elliott's writing (1854–1865). The French synonym is Bergamotte Tardivie de Gansel.
Tree
Vigorous and productive on the pear root (Elliott). Not further described in sources.
Fruit
Size and Form: Similar in shape and size to Gansel Bergamot (both sources).
Stem, Cavity, Calyx, Basin, Core, Seeds: Not described in sources.
Skin: Green, thickly covered with russet dots and freckles, which sometimes coalesce into patches; yellow-green when ripe (Hedrick). Elliott notes the fruit has less color when exposed to sun than Gansel Bergamot.
Flesh and Flavor: White. In England, described as rather coarse and gritty, not very juicy nor melting. In France and America, however, the variety appears to develop more favorably: flesh becomes more juicy, melting, and rich, vinous and highly perfumed (Hedrick). Elliott, writing for an American audience, states the flesh is entirely free from granulations — consistent with Hedrick's observation of improved performance outside England. Quality: good to very good.
Season
November and December.
Uses
Not described in sources.
Subtypes / Variants
Not described in sources.
Other
Hedrick cites the following references: Elliott, Fruit Book, p. 369 (1854); Hogg, Fruit Manual, p. 294 (1866); Mas, Le Verger, vol. 3, pt. 1, p. 125, fig. 61 (1866–73).
Book Sources
Described in 2 period pomological works
View original book sources (2)
— U.P. Hedrick, The Pears of New York (1921)Gansel Late Bergamot.
- Elliott Fr. Book 369. 1854. 2. Hogg Fruit Man. 294. 1866. Bergamotte Tardivie de Gansel. 3. Mas Le Verger 3:Pt. 1, 125, fig. 61. 1866-73.
Gansel Late Bergamot was raised from seed by a Mr. Williams, Pitmaston, Eng. Fruit similar in shape and size to Gansel Bergamot, green, thickly covered with russet dots and freckles which sometimes form patches, yellow-green when ripe, flesh white, rather coarse and gritty, not very juicy nor melting in England; in France and America, however, it seems to become more juicy, melting and rich, vinous and highly perfumed; good to very good; Nov. and Dec.
— F.R. Elliott, The Western Fruit Book (1865)Gansel's late Bergamot.
Foreign. An new variety recently introduced, very much resembling the preceding, except its period of maturity being extended into December. It is also said to have less color in sun, and the flesh entirely free from granulations. Tree, vigorous, and productive on the pear root.