Leaf-buds small, short, pointed, plump, usually appressed. Leaves 3-1/4 in. long, 2-1/8 in. wide, leathery; apex taper-pointed; margin glandless or with few reddish glands, finely serrate; petiole short, stocky, 1-1/2 in. long, glabrous. Flower-buds short, conical but obtuse at the apex, plump, free, arranged singly on short spurs; flowers 1-1/2 in. across, in dense clusters, average 8 buds in a cluster; pedicels 3/4 in. long, slender, thinly pubescent. Fruit matures in late October and November; medium in size, 2-1/2 in. long, 2-1/8 in. wide, obovate-obtuse-pyriform, symmetrical, uniform; stem 1/2 in. long, slender; cavity abrupt, shallow, very small, narrow, slightly lipped; calyx partly open, small; lobes short, narrow, acute; basin shallow, narrow, obtuse, smooth, symmetrical; skin thin, tender, smooth; color golden-yellow at maturity, covered with thin russet; dots numerous, small, greenish-russet; flesh tinged with yellow, granular at the center, tender and melting, juicy, sweet, highly perfumed; quality of the best. Core large, closed, abaxile; calyx-tube short, wide, conical; seeds wide, short, plump, obtuse. [Illustration: DEARBORN] DEARBORN =1.= _Am. Pom. Soc. Cat._ 36. 1883. =2.= _Ont. Dept. Agr. Fr. Ont._ 155. 1914. _Dearborn's Seedling._ =3.= _Kenrick Am. Orch._ 154. 1832. =4.= _Downing Fr. Trees Am._ 336, fig. 135. 1845. =5.= _Proc. Nat. Con. Fr. Gr._ 51. 1848. =6.= _Hovey Fr. Am._ =1=:63, Pl. 1851. =7.= Elliott _Fr. Book_ 336. 1859. =8.= _Mas Le Verger_ =2=:17, fig. 7. 1866-73. =9.= Leroy _Dict. Pom._ =2=:7, fig. 1869. Once a favorite, Dearborn is now nearly lost to cultivation, and few or no nurserymen grow the trees. It is too good a variety to be lost, however, because of splendid fruit- and tree-characters. The fruits ripen early and are of good quality, though hardly as richly flavored as those of Elizabeth which ripen at the same time. Unfortunately the pears run small, but they are attractive in shape and color. In season, the crop succeeds that of Bloodgood and precedes that of Bartlett. The trees are almost flawless, and therefore are well adapted to home orchards where fruits cannot receive the care of skilled hands. Besides being almost free from blight, the trees are hardy, vigorous, and very productive. The variety has many valuable qualities for a summer pear in home orchards.