Caniiell & Sons’ Complete Seed Guide. 
THE CHAMPION SASH AT SHANKLIN, 
Thu interest in the annual show at Shanklin was last 
August considerably augmented in consequence of the 
local committee having succeeded inobtaining from Messrs. 
Cannell & Sons, seed growers, Swanley, the privilege 
ol' challenging all other similar amateur societies in 
llaiup.shire to compete for Cannells’ championship sash 
and money prizes to the value of .£6. The entries were 
not so numoi’ous as had been expected, many being 
under the impression that it was only open to societies 
in the Isle of Wight. This misapprehension having 
since been dispelled, a much keener struggle may safely 
be counted upon on the next occasion. Apart from 
numbers, the contest was in other respects satisfactory, 
the quality of the exhibits staged was Al, and the 
enthusiasm of the members belonging to the competing 
societies spoke well for the further interest likely to be 
aroused among societies who this season have been 
cont(3iit to look on. 
The vegetables staged by each of the three 
competing societies were all of an equally very high 
quality, and unfortunate mistakes pi'ovided the judges 
with an escape from what would have been a rather 
difficult task. Shorwell were relegated to third 
place in consequence of their not having adhered to 
the conditions regulating the number of dishes. The 
second prize was taken by the Underclilf Society, 
although jjei’haps a little behind Shorwell in fruit and 
flowers — this too, no doubt, the outcome of a misunder- 
standing. Mr. Niblett,’ thinking that the whole exhibit 
should be the productions of one member only of each 
society, had acted accordingly; and, although it is certain 
that with a little assistance he would have run Shanklin 
desperately close for first place, he is to be highly 
complimented on the excellence of his exhibit, entirely 
the result of his own efforts. The verdict of the judges 
in favour of Shanklin was quite populai- in the loaility. 
Th(> officers of the society showed their appreciation of the honour 
they had won by adorning themselves with tlie .sash — the emblem 
of victory — as soon as the judges’ awai'd was announced. This 
portion of the show nas certainly the chief centre of interest ; 
the beautiful gold-lettered sash, which was on view beside the 
productions part of the time, called forth many remarks of 
■ admiration. These exhibits were inspected during the day by 
Their Serene Highnesses Prince Edward and Prince Hermann of 
Saxe-Weimar, and other Koyalty. 
sir. A. CAIiTKK, fteaetani- 
A. F. SWAYNK, ICsq., Chnirmuii. 
Shanklin will thus be entitled to hold the distiiiction for twelve 
months, as we understand that Messrs. Cannells’ magnificent 
offer is to be repeated, and will, in the words of a contemporary, 
“ Come to be looked upon as the great annual ‘ tug of war ' 
among horticultural enthusiasts of the county.” 
■ The Shanklin Society challenges all others in Hampshire and 
AViltshire at their show next August, and w'ill be pleased to send 
schedules and full particulars of the same to any society in these 
counties wishing to enter the contest. — TKAVELLER. 
Mr. 1'. IlARHor, Gardener to F. W. Catterall, Esq., St. Anne,9-on-Sea, .lumary \~ith, 189f. 
Many thanks for quality of seeds supplied by your house on previous occasions. 
Mr. H. Beardsley, Melbourne, Derbyshire. 
Having obtained through a friend some of your Perfect Seeds last season, which gave great satisfaction, I am anxious to procure your catalogue. 
