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January 6,1881. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
—A great improvement on the type, the colours very bright, and 
the flowers of considerable size. O. polyxantlmm (Cobb).—In 
the way of O. triumphans, but distinct; colours not quite so bright, 
and lip fringed. O. vcxillarium splendent (Veitch).—One of the 
most handsome varieties of a well-known species. The flowers 
are very large and of a fine deep rose colour. Oncidium concolor 
viajus (Veitch).—An attractive variety and very distinct ; the 
flowers, as the name signifies, being much larger than in the 
ordinary form. 0. crujnim grandiflorum (Bull).—Very distinct, 
with larger flowers than in the type, and deeper richer-coloured 
markings. Saccolaiivm denticulatum (Williams).—A botanical 
certificate was awarded for this plant at one of the meetings at 
Kensington. It a small spike of white and yellow 
flowers near the base of the growth. It is interesting botanically. 
It will thus be seen that Orchids were abundantly shown 
last year, and several excellent novelties introduced to growers. 
E. C. (To be continued.) 
GANSEL’S BERGAMOT PEAR. 
Many old gardeners entertain the opinion that this is the best 
Pear in cultivation. It is unquestionably a variety of great excel¬ 
lence, the fruit being of imposing appearance and splendid quality. 
Some Pears have become so popular that there is a slight danger of 
the merits of some good old varieties being overlooked. We would 
not that this were one of them, for where a good position against a 
wall can be afforded Gansel’s Bergamot will occupy it worthily. 
The following notes on this Pear by the author of the “ Fruit 
Manual” maybe appropriately introduced here:—“The tree is a 
shy bearer during the first period of its growth, but when it becomes 
aged it produces more abundantly, though the fruit is of smaller 
size. To increase its fruitfulness, it has been recommended to 
impregnate the flowers with the pollen of some other variety, such 
as the Autumn Bergamot. It is generally believed that this variety 
was raised from seed of the Autumn Bergamot by Lieut.-General 
Gansel at his seat, Donneland Park, near Colchester, in 1768, and 
this rests upon a communication to that effect from David Jebb, 
Esq., of Worcester, nephew of General Gansel, to Mr. Williams 
of Pitmaston. Mr. Lindley says, ‘ The Bonne Rouge of the French 
is evidently of the same sort, and the name must have been given 
it after its having been received from that country.’ I am unwilling 
that any doubt should arise as to this esteemed favourite being a 
native fruit; but when I find, by the manuscript catalogue of the 
Brompton Park Nursery, that both the Bonne Rouge and Brocas’ 
Fig. 4 .—Gansei/s bergamot rear. 
Bergamot, which are acknowledged synonymes of Gansel’s Ber¬ 
gamot, were cultivated there in 1753, I am inclined to doubt the 
correctness of the above statement, and as this catalogue is the 
earliest I have been able to procure of that nursery, it is possible 
that it was grown there at a much earlier period under both of these 
names.” 
WINTER VEGETABLES. 
Judging from the Scotch and English paper reports the mild 
weather we have experienced here has not been general, but it 
has been much more favourable than the two last seasons, and if 
due forethought has been exercised vegetables should be cheap 
and good for those who have to buy them, and abundant with 
those who have to supply them for either market or home 
consumption. 
Broccolis are coming in true to their time, as well as fine in 
size and good in quality. Veitch’s Self-protecting has been grand, 
and, indeed, is so at the present time. Should frost not interfere 
we shall cut many heads weekly until some time in February. It 
is an excellent variety, and must be grown wherever Broccolis are 
required in December. Osborn’s variety is showing well and is 
another we could not well dispense with it. 
Carter’s Heartwell Marrow Cabbage, the principal heads of 
which, cut off in September and October, are producing side 
sprouts from the roots and stems which were left in the ground, 
quite equal to the best Coleworts. A “ chance sowing ” of 
Cabbage made in July will produce better heads in January than 
I was able to cut in April or May last. The variety is a new one 
and named Dickson’s (Edinburgh) Redbraes, and I am mistaken 
if it does not become a great favourite. 
Brussels Sprouts have improved more during November and 
December than they did in August and September last year. This 
is quite an indispensable winter vegetable, and well worth all the 
attention possible. Some of our present plants are from seed 
sown where they are growing, and others were transplanted when 
small, and I can see no difference between them. Not many 
years ago selecting Brussels Sprouts was simple, as there were 
only two or three varieties, but now they are numerous, though it 
is doubtful if the old varieties have been surpassed. 
The Dalkeith and the Dalmeny Savoys are not of very high 
quality, but they can always be relied on in severe weather, and 
although they may not be in great demand in the present mild 
weather, this must not lead to their neglect for another winter. 
The Drumhead and Green Curled varieties were planted between 
the Potato rows in July ; after that we lost sight of them amongst 
the Potato haulm for some weeks, but they are easily seen now, 
as many of the heads are from 12 lbs. to 20 ibs. in weight. 
Celery I am not quite pleased with, as it is rather pithy. How 
this occurs I cannot exactly say, especially as I have had it 
