W Cannell & Sons’ Complete Seed Guide. 
r™ 
those who had not been successful in obtaining the much-coveted 
trophy— which, by the way, had been on exhibition in the window 
of a local tradesman during the week. However, all took the 
I judges’ decision in the proper spirit, and no doubt resolved within 
themselves to reverse the verdict the first opportunity. This will 
be when the Bingley Society lay down the sash at their own slfow 
■ next autumn, and challenge all comers to “ take it away who can.” 
As soon as the judges had completed their awards, the 
officials, in all capacities, ascended the raised platform to commence 
j the opening ceremony. 
It w'as a little after three o’clock when Mr. Samuel Natlor, 
Chairman of the Keighley Society, asked the Mayor of that town, 
Shem Paget, Esq., to declare the exhibition open. 
! His Worship, w’ho was received with cheers, said he had much 
pleasure in complying with their request. He w'as not an expert 
in matters horticultural, but in his opinion, and he was glad to 
find that it was confirmed by others better able to judge, the show 
was an excellent one in all respects, and he was sure the Keighley 
executive deserved great credit for passing through the many 
vicissitudes they had done and bringing together such a splendid 
1 collection of the productions of the soil on that occasion. He 
■ wished them a large attendance, a successful show, and increased 
^success in times to come. His Worship next proceeded to 
' invest Mr. Corner, Vice-Chairman of the Bingley Society, 
^ with the. championship' belt. After referring in eulogistic 
j terms to the offering of this magnificent i>rize for competition 
! at their show, he said it was no use denying that it would 
J have afforded him more pleasure to have given it into the 
' safe keeping of the chairman of their own society, but 
as it had to go elsewhere he was pleased to find that 
' it was not going far, and he thought the next best thing to 
j I winning it themselves was the pleasure they had in handing it 
® over to their next-door neighbours, Bingley ; but, he hoped in 
1 time to see the' Keighley Society bring it back again. He then, 
* amid loud applause, adjusted the sash on Mr. Corner’s shoulder. 
1 Mr. Corner, still wearing the decoration, said that he was 
w.pleascd indeed to accept the belt on behalf of the Bingley Society. 
h A .1 might be seen by the exhibits it was only after a very keen 
w struggle that they had earned this great honour and distinction. 
2 His society had worked hard to win, and, although they should be 
Jp glad to have many more entries at their show in the autumn of 
I ’86, he could assure them they would work harder still to keep 
k. He was sure it spoke well for the enterprise of the firm who 
had presented it, and he w'as sure Yorkshire people would not be 
•low to show their appreciation. Eegarding the quality of the 
goods supplied by Messrs. Cannell he knew, from his own 
experience, that everything was of the highest order, and he 
trusted that they might benefit to the fullest extent. He thought 
the least they could do then was to accord a hearty vote of thanks 
to Messrs. Cannell, and he had much pleasure in proposing the 
This was duly seconded, and carried unanimously. 
W. 1). D., representing Messrs. Cannell, acknowledged the 
vote on their behalf. He apologised for the absence of 
Mr. Cannell, sen., who had for a long time been looking forward 
to being among them that day, and it was only at the very last 
moment that circumstances had arisen which prevented him doing 
so. He regretted tljis for more than one reason : Mr. Cannell 
could more eloquently have acknowledged their kind vote, and, 
not only that, he would have had an opportunity of making their 
personal acquaintance and admuing the beautiful specimens 
which the prizes he had offered had brought forth. He 
(W. D. D.) also said that although it was a sharp competition 
for the sash his firm had hoped for rather more entries from such 
a large county and such lovers of the garden as Yorkshire people 
are ; there was, however, every reason to hope there would be 
more on the next occasion. The prizes had been offered without 
any restriction as to where the seeds, &c., were to be purchased ; in 
the first place, not only to obtain a large entry, but because they 
had confidence that once their strains and varieties were brought 
directly under their notice the quality thereof would recommend 
them for the future. He would convey their kind vote to 
Mr. Cannell, and thanked them heartily on the firm’s behalf for it. 
Mr. T. Hargreaves, Keighley Committee, proposed a vote 
of thanks to the Mayor. He said his worship would now see 
for himself to what extent the cottage gardeners were taking 
advantage of the allotments scheme. He recommended the 
charms of gardening to all — it fostering care and attention, tact, 
judgment, and industiy to working men, and being a healthy 
occupation, an innocent pastime, and a pure enjoyment. He 
concluded by quoting the well-known lines 
“ In the poor man’s garden grows, 
Far more than herbs and flowers, 
Kind thoughts, contentment, peace o( mind, 
And joy for many hours.” 
Mr. ■\V. E. Biggs (Secretary, Keighley Society) seconded 
the vote, which was heartily carried. 
The Mator having responded, the company, including his 
Worship, the Committee, and representatives of the competing 
societies, among whom Jlr. Corner was conspicuous by the 
bright colours of the sash, and others to the number of about 
40, adjourned to luncheon, during which much friendly banter 
was indulged in by the rival competitors. The winners of the 
sash came in for a good share, but, having gained the advantage 
of possession, they were enabled to look on complacently and 
smile or take their own part. Mr. Corner’s remaik “ that 
though Keighley held the upper hand at cricket and football, 
Bingley had obtained the victory that day,” was indicative of the 
friendly rivalry which exists between the two towns in almost 
everything. ^ REPOKTER. 
( Ni ) 
