Leaf-buds long, obtuse, appressed; leaf-scars prominent. Leaves 3 in. long, 1-7/8 in. wide, long, folded lengthwise with the margins curled under, leathery; apex taper-pointed; margin entire or coarsely crenate; petiole 2 in. long, slender. Flower-buds large, long, conical, plump, free, singly on short spurs; blossoms open late; flowers 1 in. across, well distributed, averaging 7 buds in a cluster; pedicels 1-3/16 in. long, slender, pubescent, pale green. Fruit ripe October to November; above medium in size, 3-1/8 in. long, 2-1/2 in. wide, uniform in size, roundish-pyriform or at times oblong-pyriform, symmetrical, with equal sides; stem 1 in. long, slightly curved, thick; cavity lacking, the stem being attached to the smooth, flat surface; calyx open; lobes separated at the base, short, obtuse or acute; basin shallow, obtuse, gently furrowed, small; skin thin, tender, roughened by the russet skin, dull; color greenish-yellow overspread with solid russet, or splashed, spotted and sprinkled with russet, the cheek often solid russet; dots many, small, russet, obscure because of the russet color, slightly raised; flesh yellowish-white, granular especially around the core, melting, buttery, very juicy, vinous; quality very good. Core variable in size, closed, with clasping core-lines; calyx-tube short, wide, conical; seeds elongated-oval, wide, plump, acute. [Illustration: EARLY HARVEST] EARLY HARVEST =1.= _Neb. Hort. Soc. Rpt._ 129. 1890. _2._ Budd-Hansen _Am. Hort. Man._ =2=:243. 1903. _Chambers_. =3.= _Horticulturist_ =25=:263, fig. 1870. =4.= Tilton _Jour. Hort._ =8=:293. 1870. =5.= _Mass. Hort. Soc. Rpt._ 157. 1874. =6.= _Am. Pom. Soc. Cat._ 32. 1875. =7.= Downing _Fr. Trees Am._ 3rd App. 174. 1881. =8.= _Can. Hort._ =26=:130. 1903. =9.= Ont. Dept. Agr. _Fr. Ont._ 151, fig. 1914. The fruits of Early Harvest are so poor in quality and rot at the core so soon after ripening, that the variety is hardly worth growing in New York, where there are many better pears of its season. To offset these defects, the pears are large and handsome for early fruits, and the trees are healthy and regular and heavy bearers. The pear is characterized by a thick, fleshy stem and a large closed core. Nurserymen report that the tree is difficult to propagate, and fruit-growers find that it is slow in coming in bearing; the growth is usually straggling and difficult to manage in nursery or orchard. The variety is more popular in the Middle West than in any other part of the country.