The annual exhibits of these beautiful flowers are now held in all the large cities. The grand ones in Boston, New York and Philadelphia, have been particularly attractive, judging by the space given to notices of the exhibits by these city papers. Usually the Secretaries send us some notes of the special features; but so far this season we have not received any; and we presume, therefore, there has been nothing specially new to chronicle.

In Philadelphia, the chief note of general interest is, the better growth of the plants, and the increased attention and success that seems to follow the training of the plants as single stems; or, as they are termed, standards. There were several collections of these, all showing great skill in the treatment of the plants. These standards were on stems 3 or 4 feet high, with heads 2 or 3 feet through. In one case, the stem was 8 feet long, and full an inch round. In some cases, the heads were trained over almost invisible hemispherical wire frames; in other cases, the form of the head was regulated by light twine. It is a very useful style to grow Chrysanthemums, as the plants can be arranged for decorative purposes, in connection with lower-grown plants very effectively. We have never seen standards before grown to such great perfection.

The first premium in the grower's class for these, was awarded to Mr. Wm. C. Pyle, of Lancaster, Pa. In the amateur's class, the first premium was awarded to Mr. A. Warne, gardener to Clarence H. Clark, Esq.; and the second to James Shaw, gardener to the Friends' Asylum. Benjamin Wood, gardener to James Hunter, Esq., had a special premium for some fine specimens.

In the line of bushy pot plants, it is pleasant to note that advantage seems to have been taken of our friendly criticisms of last year. There were fewer and lighter stakes, less display of wires and twine, more effort to preserve all the leaves, and consequently, less naked stems. The plants altogether had a much more natural look. In former exhibitions, it was not uncommon to see the heroes of old-world shows shake their heads and remark that " they can't do it here like they do in the old country, you know." But there seemed none of this old school about on this occasion. The first premium amateur's collection was awarded to Mr. James Shaw, of the Friends' Asylum. These were in 10-inch pots, and grown as depressed hemispheres. Some were about 6 feet wide, and 2 or 3 feet deep. They were so grown that sticks or strings were scarcely visible.

The other successful exhibitors were Wm. K. Harris, Karl Muller, Wm. Colflesh, Walter W. Coles, W. C. Pyfer, Craig Bros., J. Kift & Sons, Charles Fox, Thos. Foulds, gardener to Wm. M. Singerley, Alex. Ker, gardener to Mrs.

G. Bullock, Fred R. Sykes, gardener to Mrs. H. Ingersoll, Gordon Smith, gardener to the Misses Morris, John Wooding, gardener to Mrs. Roberts. All of these had collections of more or less excellence, in many cases so nearly of equal value, that it is difficult to specify wherein one had special excellencies over the other.

The premium for the best seedling was awarded to Mr. W. K. Harris, who has already done so much to improve the Chrysanthemum. It was named John M. Hughes, after the popular gardener to Mr. Geo. W. Childs. It must, however, be exceedingly difficult to get much new that is very distinct from the old. Hallock Sons and Thorpe, of New York, had cut flowers of 168 varieties on exhibition, and Mr. Walter Coles had 115.

Outside of the Chrysanthemums there were a few other exhibits. C. F. Evans made one of cut roses, that were rarely, if ever, exceeded in size and healthful beauty. Among them was the new white rose, Puritan. It is a very sweet pure white - more of the pure hybrid perpetual, we think, than in the usual classes of popular florists', roses. It keeps its bud down in among the foliage, and for those who like to have the bud set off by the rose leaves, it will have attractions over all others.