Fruit ripe November to December; medium in size, 2-5/8 in. long, 2-1/8 in. wide, uniform in size and shape, obovate-obtuse-pyriform, generally symmetrical; stem 1 in. long, thick, slightly curved; cavity small, obtuse, shallow, narrow, russeted, furrowed and irregular, often lipped; calyx large, partly open; lobes separated at the base, long, broad, acute; basin wide, obtuse, furrowed and sometimes corrugated; skin thick and granular, tough, roughish; color lemon-yellow, marked with occasional patches of russet and with a faint russet-red blush on the exposed cheek; dots numerous, small, russet, inconspicuous; flesh yellowish-white, firm, granular, tender and melting when fully mature, juicy, rich, sweet; quality very good. Core large, closed, with clasping core-lines; calyx-tube short, wide, conical; seeds large, long, plump, acute. LAWSON =1.= _Rural N. Y._ =43=:651, fig. 385. 1884. =2.= _Gard. Mon._ =27=:282. 1885. =3.= _Rural N. Y._ =44=:693. 1885. =4.= _Gard. & For._ =5=:414. 1892. =5.= Van Lindley _Cat._ 22. 1892. =6.= _Am. Pom. Soc. Cat._ 36. 1899. =7.= Ont. Dept. Agr. _Fr. Ont._ 168. 1914. =8.= Cal. Com. Hort. _Pear Grow. Cal._ =7=:266, fig. 67. 1918. _Comet._ =9.= _Gard. Mon._ =27=:144. 1885. _Cometbirne._ =10.= Mathieu _Nom. Pom._ 198. 1889. Of all early pears, the fruit of Lawson best satisfies the eye for bright colors. It is as brightly colored as the brilliant Vermont Beauty or as Mount Vernon. Another outstanding character is the small core, which, though the pears ripen early and quickly, seldom softens unduly. The pears are sometimes nearly or quite seedless. Unfortunately, the fruits are often irregular in shape, and in quality are never more than mediocre. The tree is fairly healthy, vigorous, hardy, and free from blight, and is characterized by its tall, upright growth. Although grown for more than a hundred years in New York, the variety has never made headway in this State, but seems to be attracting much attention on the Pacific slope. This pear originated on the farm of a Mr. Lawson in Ulster County, New York, about 1800, judging from the appearance of the original tree which was standing in 1900. The variety was introduced toward the end of the nineteenth century under the name _Comet_ by reason of its color, so that it is sometimes known as _Lawson Comet_. The American Pomological Society added Lawson to its fruit-catalog in 1899.