Book  (1936)  Page(s) 278.  
 
France, Glorified La (HT) J: Cook 1916; Druschki X Mrs. Ch. E. Russell; silvery pink, darker than La France, medium to large, very double, globular, lasting, solitary, fragrance 4/10, mediocre, floriferous, continuous bloom, long strong stems, light green foliage, growth 6/10, upright, 80 cm. Sangerhausen

Book  (1917)  Page(s) 37-38.  
 
JOHN COOK's unnamed SEEDLING
When, in October of 1916, the Editor called upon that veteran Baltimore rose-grower whose fine achievements have been in evidence in the production of such roses as Radiance, Panama, My Maryland, Francis Scott Key, and others, he was taken to a hillside greenhouse without any statement as to what was to be seen. Mr. Cook courteously held aside the door of the greenhouse, and the writer entered. Instantly his eyes were attracted by a long bench of blooming roses, the sight of which caused him to quicken his steps and to say, *'Why, what is this? It looks like a glorified La France!" With a slow smile, Mr. Cook said, "That is what we call it as far as we have gone, and this rose is what I brought you to see." It is the "glorified La France," then, which is now discussed. A volume would not add to the compact description which this provisional title affords. In an emphatic sense the rose is "great," as that adjective is applied to indicate an upstanding and notable character, both in stem, in foliage, and in flower. Mr. Cook had counted petals repeatedly, and his statement may be accepted as authoritative when he says that the rose averages ninety-two petals. It is, therefore, an exceedingly full and double rose, resembling in that respect certain of the newer productions of E. G. Hill, another half-century American rosemaking veteran, who has also used Mrs. Charles Russell in his breeding. (Mr. Cook's new rose is a cross between Frau Karl Druschki and Mrs. Charles Russell.) Fragrance was not expected in a rose of the parentage of Mr. Cook's seedling, but nevertheless it is there, and singularly like La France. This new rose has not yet been grown outdoors, and while it may fail as a garden rose, its Druschki blood would indicate to the contrary. Flowers have been exhibited, and, as Mr. Cook has put it, they caused embarrassment as shown in the window of his Baltimore store, because of the insistent demand for them which could not be met. Just a word as to this fine old veteran rose-grower himself. The visitor to John Cook is impressed by the fact that he is much more than a rose-grower. About his hospitable home are grouped representative trees, both deciduous and coniferous, which Mr. Cook himself has reared, and under the shade of which he now enjoys the singular and delightful advantage which a consistent tree-planter receives. He is interested in everything that grows, and the rose is not the only flower which has benefited by his hybridizing touch. It is quite proper to announce that the "glorified La France," yet unnamed, is not now in commerce and that plants are not now available.