Keiffer.

Keiffer's Hybrid.

This new and unique pear was raised by Peter Keiffer, Roxbury, near Philadelphia, from seed of the Chinese Sand pear, accidentally crossed with Beurre d'Anjou, or some other kind grown near it. Tree remarkably vigorous, having large, dark green, glossy leaves, and is an early and very prolific bearer; the fruit is of good size, good color, good quality, and is a promising variety for the table or market.

Fruit medium, roundish oval, narrowing at both ends, with the largest diameter near the centre, some specimens roundish, inclining to oblong obtuse pyriform; skin deep yellow, orange yellow in the sun, a few patches and nettings of russet, and many brown russet dots; stalk short to medium, moderately stout; cavity medium; calyx open; basin medium, a little uneven; flesh whitish, a little coarse, juicy, half melting, sweet; quality very good, partaking slightly of the Chinese Sand pears. Ripens all of October and a part of November. To have it in perfection, it should be gathered when fully grown, and ripened in the house.

— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)