Fruit ripe in September; large, 3-7/16 in. long, 2-11/16 in. wide, uniform in size and shape, oblong-acute-pyriform, symmetrical, with unequal sides; stem 1 in. long, short, thick, curved; cavity obtuse, almost lacking, very shallow, narrow, russeted, slightly furrowed, often with the stem inserted beneath a pronounced irregular lip; calyx open; lobes separated at the base, narrow, acute; basin wide, obtuse and flaring, slightly furrowed, symmetrical, smooth except for the thick, russet covering; color yellow, with a reddish blush on the exposed cheek, covered with nettings of russet and yellow patches; dots numerous, small, russet, conspicuous; flesh white, with a faint tinge of yellow, firm, granular, tender, very juicy, sweet, with a musky flavor; quality good. Core closed, with clasping core-lines; calyx-tube short, wide, conical; seeds large, wide, plump, acute. [Illustration: SOUVENIR D'ESPÉREN] SOUVENIR D'ESPÉREN =1.= Barry _Fr. Garden_ 318. 1851. =2.= Downing _Fr. Trees Am._ 857. 1869. =3.= Tilton _Jour. Hort._ =6=:14, fig. 1869. Downing, in 1869, noted this old French pear as one of the best for either amateur or commercial grower, and at that time it was rather widely planted. Now, however, growers seldom set it. The trees are vigorous, hardy, healthy, and productive, and the fruits are attractive in appearance and rather good in quality, but neither tree nor fruit rise much above mediocrity, and the variety has no outstanding character to give it individuality. The crop comes in season in December, the pears keeping well until ripe, after which they quickly decay. The variety is worth planting only for the sake of diversity. Major Espéren, Mechlin, Belgium, raised this pear from seed about the middle of the nineteenth century. The name _Souvenir d'Espéren_ was at one time applied to _Fondante de Noël_ in consequence of which confusion has existed as to the identity of the two sorts. The pear reached America about 1850. Tree medium in size, upright, slightly spreading, dense-topped, productive; branches reddish-brown overlaid with thin scarf-skin, marked with very conspicuous but scattering lenticels; branchlets very thick and long, with long internodes, light brown mingled with green, dull, glabrous, sprinkled with small, conspicuous, raised lenticels. Leaf-buds very small, short, pointed, plump, free. Leaves 3 in. long, 1-5/8 in. wide; apex abruptly pointed; margin uneven, finely serrate; petiole 2-5/8 in. long, tinged red. Flower-buds small, short, conical, plump, free, singly on very short spurs; flowers open late, showy, 1-3/8 in. across, average 7 buds in a cluster; pedicels 1-1/4 in. long, slender.