Leaf-buds small, short, sharply pointed, plump, free. Leaves 2-1/2 in. long, 1-1/4 in. wide, narrow, short, oval or somewhat elongated, leathery; apex obtusely or slightly taper-pointed; margin glandless, entire; petiole 2 in. long, greenish, glabrous, slender. Flower-buds small, conical, free, arranged singly as lateral buds or on short spurs; flowers very showy, 1-3/4 in. across, in dense clusters, 7 to 9 buds in a cluster; pedicels often 1-1/8 in. long, slender, slightly pubescent, greenish. Fruit ripe in late September and early October; above medium in size, 3-1/8 in. long, 2-5/16 in. wide, variable in size, oblong-pyriform, irregular, usually with sides unequal; stem 1-1/8 in. long, thick, curved; cavity very small and one-sided, russeted, often lipped; calyx large, open; lobes separated at the base, narrow, acuminate; basin obtuse, considerably furrowed; skin thin, tender, smooth, dull; color yellow, netted and sprinkled with russet especially on the exposed cheek; dots numerous, small, russet, somewhat obscure; flesh yellowish-white, granular, tender, buttery, very juicy, aromatic, with a rich, vinous flavor; quality very good. Core closed, with clasping core-lines; calyx-tube short, narrow, conical; seeds wide, acute. [Illustration: MOUNT VERNON] MOUNT VERNON =1.= _Am. Jour. Hort._ =3=:144, figs. 1868. =2.= Downing _Fr. Trees Am._ 818. 1869. =3.= _Horticulturist_ =24=:367, fig. 1869. =4.= _Ibid._ =26=:361. 1871. =5.= _Am. Pom. Soc. Cat._ 20. 1871. =6.= _Horticulturist_ =27=:204. 1872. =7.= Budd-Hansen _Am. Hort. Man._ =2=:256. 1903. As a distinct type, and because the pears ripen at a season when there are few other varieties of this fruit, Mount Vernon has a prominent place in the list of worthy American pears. The top-shaped form and reddish-russet color give the pear a unique appearance, and with the greenish-yellow, granular, spicy, piquant flesh constitute very distinct characters in its quality. Unfortunately, the russet color is not well brought out in the accompanying color-plate. Lack of uniformity in shape and size are the chief defects in the appearance of the pears. The variety is valuable because it ripens its crop in early winter from which time, under good conditions, it may be kept until mid-winter, a season in which there are few good pears. The trees are unusually satisfactory in most of the characters of importance in a good pear-tree. The tree is vigorous but the head is small, with numerous, short, stocky branches, many of which droop. The aspect given the top by these peculiarities is quite distinct. The variety is worthy when a winter pear is wanted whether for home or market. This pear, which is very distinct from any other variety, originated from a chance seedling in the garden of Samuel Walker, Roxbury, Massachusetts, at the end of the first half of the nineteenth century.