The Horticulturist, and Journal of Rural Art and Rural Taste, 3(8): 381 (August 1853)
Feast's King of the Prairie Rose.—Mr. Feast writes us that he has at length succeeded in obtaining a variety of the Prairie Rose, as fragrant as the old Damask Rose, larger than the Queen, and of a bright peach color. This must be an acquisition, as admirers of this useful family of Roses have always regretted the absence of fragrance. Not long ago we sent some Prairie Roses to a very well known literary gentleman on the Hudson, and he wrote us back he did not want them, as he would not have a Rose without fragrance on his grounds. Mr. Feast sends us the following description of the "King;"

"This is the third season of flowering. Sweet-scented, like the old Damask Rose. The form is cup-shape. Color bright peach, and darker toward the center. This is before it is fully open. The bud is long-conical in shape, and very pretty—together with the first opening of the flower it makes a beautiful appearance. As it opens it shows two or three small petals of a lighter color than the outer ones; these being slightly curved back, gives to the Rose a globular shape until fully expanded. There is a delicacy in the shading of the petals I have not seen in any of the tribe. The size of the flower when fully expanded, is much larger than the Queen. The clusters are large—from twenty to twenty-six in one head. Each flower has twenty-five perfect petals, with smaller ones in the center. The petals are thick and fleshy. The habit of the plant is strong, and a free grower. Foliage large and dark green. Perfectly hardy. Flowers ten days before the Queen."