Tree medium in size and vigor, spreading, slow-growing, hardy, very productive; trunk slender, shaggy; branches reddish-brown overspread with thick scarf-skin; branchlets thick, curved, short, with very short internodes, smooth except for the raised, conspicuous lenticels. Leaf-buds small, short; leaf-scars with prominent shoulders. Leaves 2-3/4 in. long, 1-1/2 in. wide, thick; apex abruptly pointed; margin glandular, finely serrate; petiole 1-1/2 in. long, reddish-green. Flower-buds large, long, very plump, free; flowers 1-1/4 in. across, 7 or 8 buds in a cluster; pedicels 1/2 in. long, thick. Fruit ripe December to January; medium in size, 3 in. long, 2-1/4 in. wide, obovate-obtuse-pyriform, very regular; stem short, thick, inserted obliquely; cavity very shallow or none, the flesh often drawn up in a lip on one side of the stem; calyx small, open; basin shallow; skin thin; color dull yellow, thickly overspread with a pale, brownish-russet, often with traces of a russet-red blush; dots numerous, small, dull russet; flesh nearly white, fine-grained, melting, buttery, pleasant flavored, aromatic, sweet; quality very good. [Illustration: BEURRÉ SUPERFIN] BEURRÉ SUPERFIN =1.= _Mag. Hort._ =20=:8, 135. 1854. =2.= _Horticulturist_ N. S. =5=: 88. 1855. =3.= Downing _Fr. Trees Am._ 465. 1857. =4.= _Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt._ 231. 1858. =5.= Leroy _Dict. Pom._ =1=:432, fig. 1867. =6.= Hogg _Fruit Man._ 529. 1884. _Hochfeine Butterbirne._ =7.= Lauche _Deut. Pom._ =II=: No. 59, Pl. 59. 1883. =8.= Gaucher _Pom. Prak. Obst._ No. 47, Pl. 60. 1894. _Superfin._ =9.= _Am. Pom. Soc. Cat._ 40. 1883. Tender in skin and delicate in flesh, the product of this variety is not for the markets, but that of few other sorts so admirably supplies those who want choicely good fruits. The pears are not as attractive in appearance as might be wished, but are hardly surpassed in flavor in their season. The flesh is notable for juiciness, rich vinous flavor, and pleasant perfume. The trees are large, healthy even as regards blight, very productive, and are easily suited as to soils. The trees do not bear early, but are regular in bearing after this life event begins. In Europe, the variety is commonly and successfully grown as a dwarf, and the pear-growers of a generation ago in America recommend this variety as one of the good sorts to work on the quince. The variety is a valuable one for home orchards, especially in New York where it grows exceptionally well.