As our December number goes to press earlier than others on account of the preparation of the Index for the whole volume, we have space for but a short account of this admirable exhibition. Even had we time, half the whole number would be required to do it justice; for, certainly, such an exhibition has-never before been held in our country.

We may say in a general way, that the improvement in growth was very marked over last year. A large number of exhibitors had learned to grow the plants so vigorously, that the heads of flowers were borne on strong, self-supporting stalks, and only a few stakes were used here and there to make the plants proportionate. In a few instances, however, the old plan of using a forest of sticks, was still retained. In one collection where they were extensively used, there were forty-two stakes in the one pot, and almost a whole ball of twine employed to keep each flower in place.

The first premium of $100 was awarded to Mr. Walter Coles, of Claymont, Delaware. His fifty plants were of irregular sizes and forms, but the-comparative absence of stakes was marked, and the plants had on the whole, a natural look. A few of the plants were superb specimens. The majority of the plants had about 200 well-formed flowers on each. One called Jessica, white quilled with a darker strap shaped edge, was about 4 feet high by 4 feet wide. Another yellow, called gloriosum, was about 4x4 feet at the base. The plant had a somewhat conical form, and was clothed with flowers from bottom to top. In globose form there was President Arthur, about 3x3 feet, the flowers pink-quilled and about 6 inches across.

Mr. Warne, gardener to Clarence H. Clark, came very close to this collection, but the plants were rather over-trained. These were globular, mostly about 3x3 feet, and each flower trained out so as to show itself to advantage. At a little distance the plants looked like a grand collection of azaleas, so evenly were the flowers arranged. This plan of growing them is well adapted for decorative purposes; and it was this collection chiefly, arranged on ascending steps, that gave the chief attraction to the Hall.

Of seedlings there were over seventy-five varieties offered in competition, all possessing some merits which will no doubt develop into something better after cultivation. The committee thought the new white seedling, *'Edna Craig," anemone centered, of extra merit for the purity of its color, large size (five inches), fine substance of petal and general good character. They awarded a silver medal to Hallock, Son & Thorpe.

"Yum Yum" the committee also approved as being quite new and distinct in color and form, the petals being tubular fully two thirds of its length, expanding into an open flat surface of crimson, the large yellow disk showing more prominently than in any known variety. Bronze medal awarded to Hallock, Son & Thorpe.

A bronze medal was given to Richard Brett, of Short Hills, N. J., for the seedling "Bessie Pitcher," a Chinese anemone of rose pink color, with pink centre.

Silver medal for a seedling called"Pink Beauty," but which the committee recommended should be called "Laurel Hill," to Julius Wolff. This is a Japanese variety. Special mention was made of a white seedling, "Avalanche".

The smaller collections by growers, dealers and amateurs were mostly arranged in tasteful clumps with walks between on the floor of the grand hall; but so great was the demand for space that the different collections could not be kept well distinct, and the public had no opportunity to judge of the comparative excellencies of the separate collections, or in many cases to know whose collections he was looking at. There was a beautiful specimen of Madame de Pallenville with 650 flowers, the plant being only about 18 inches high from the pot, but 4 feet across, the owner of which we could nowguess at.

Another oversight is the lack of prominent labels. All had small wooden tallies somewhere down in among the vegetation, which few could reach or read when found. Dreer, Coles and Warne had cards attached to stakes near the eye line, for which visitors were thankful. The cut flower department was unique; and many from other States competed. Dreer and Coles must have had about 200 kinds each; and though one might wonder how it was possible there could be anything novel after all these, the seedlings of Hallock & Thorpe and Richard Brett showed numbers wholly new and very beautiful.

We are sorry our space commands us to stop; but we must add that no exhibition for many years took the public by surprise as this did. Thousands flocked to see it, and the influence on public taste was very great. The public will see when there is novelty to look at.