Cannell & Sons’ Complete Seed Gmde. 
collections were specially photographed by Mr. T. M. Eamell, of 
the AVest End Studio, Sittinghourne. The tables on this side of 
the marquee attracted large numbers of spectators on each day of 
the show. 
THE INVESTITURE OP THE BELT. 
The President, Mr. Mercer, was in the chair, and among 
the company present were Mr. A. J. Thomas, Mr. H. Cannell, 
Mr. J. Dixon, Mr. E. AV. Glreensted, the judges, committee, and 
representatives of the competing societies. After lunch the toast 
of “ The Queen ” was loyally honoured, and then 
Mr. Dixon (Chairman of the Eodmersham Association) 
proposed the toast of “ The Judges,” who had done their work in 
a most impartial manner. 
Mr. AVoodavaed, whose name was coupled with the toast, 
responded. He said the judges fully realised the difficult position 
in which they had been placed that day, and he thought one and 
all would acknowledge that they endeavoured to do their duty. 
(Hear, heai-.) In thanking the company for the kind manner in 
which the toast had been received, he said there was no body 
of men more sociable than gardeners, especially when they won. 
(Laughter.) He had been an exhibitor himself, and therefore he 
knew something about it. AVhen the judges were engaged upon 
the championship competition at Milton last year, when the 
prizes were decided by only a point, they knew something of the 
difficult task that would be before them that day, and if his own 
interests had been consulted he should like to have had nothing 
to do with it this year. But as he had had some experience of the 
Avork, he was not going to funk the show, and there he Avas. 
(Hear, hear.) They had got a splendid exhibition there that day, 
upon AA'hich he highly complimented them. The shoAv as a Avhole 
he must say Avas the best he had seen anywhere this year, and he 
wished the Rodmersham Association every success in the future. 
(Applause.) 
Mr. A. J. TiiOiiAS asked the company to drink the health 
of the donor of the Championship Belt. He Avas sure the 
Kodmersham Society Avelcomed Mr. Cannell there, and they 
all thanked him for the interest he had created in the horti- 
cultural Avorld, and the village horticultural societies in Kent, 
by offering the belt in competition. (Hear, hear.) Although 
Eodmersham had been beaten, they did not feel disgraced. 
(Hear, hear.) Their friends at Milton had had an advantage 
during the dry Aveather this season by having spring Avater 
close at hand. “ But Ave shall give them a rub another time,” 
continued Mr. Thomas, “the elements Avon’t ahvays favour 
them.” (Laughter.) They AA’ere all pleased to see Mr. Cannell j 
there, and hoped that they should see him at Eodmersham ! 
again. (The toast Avas accorded musical honours.) 
Mr. Cannell, Avho Avas Avell received, in returning thanks 
congratulated the Eodmersham friends on the beautiful day 
they had, and their bright and happy surroundings. They had got 
a splendid lot of productions there, and he Avas glad to knoAv that 
he had been the means of bringing about those healthy com- j 
petitions. Perfection of the productions of Mother Earth, for 
the happiness of mankind, Avas Avhat he strived to inculcate. 
(Hear, hear.) He sympathised Avith those who had been 
unsuccessful, and hoped that he shoidd have the pleasure of 
meeting them all again. (Applause.) Mr. Cannell then j)roduced 
the Championship Belt, and calling Mr. Chopping (the chairman 
of the Avinning society) forward, placed the sash upon him Avith 
a feAV Avords of congratulation and a hearty shake of the hand. 
Mr. Cannell said that last year Mr. Chopping had the pain to 
give it up, but this year he had the pleasure of receiving it again. 
Mr. Chopping : AVe like to see old friends. (Laughter.) 
After the sash had been properly adjusted, amid loud cheers, 
Mr. Chopping said he Avas A'ery glad to receive the sash, and 
he hoped that their friends at Eodmersham Avould carry it up 
there another year. At any rate they Avould try and keep it 
in the neighbourhood. (Applause.) 
Mr. Cannell said he remembered that last year Mr. Chopping 
said he should only have to go “ across the fields ” to fetch it 
(laughter) ; and he (Mr. Cannell) did not think he would do it 
so easily . — East Kent Gazette. 
u.. |]-Ti> c »3t>iP:A .i ^--i< ■ 
Oeak Sirs, 
Mr. Joiix Staclv, Sem-., 
St. Thomas, Ont., Canada, 21s< September, 1895. 
Another season has gone Avith its sutcesses and failures, joys and sonoAvs; but, taken altogether, this is a beautiful Avorld to live in, if Ave only . 
manage right. One of my successes was groAving the splendid tuberous Begonias yoti sent me. They made a blaze of wonderment to scores Avho^f^ 
came to sec them. J also exhibited at our largest local Fair, taking First Prize and Diploma for quality. I enclose clipping from a local daily. . ' ' 
( Vi ) 
