PRIZE QUESTIONL,. 409 
IMPERIAL SOCIETY OF NATURAL SCIENCES OF CHERBOURG. 
PROGRAMME OF COMPETITION FOR 1868. 
The Society offers for competition the following question : 
The varechs (sea-wrack, fucus) in the two-fold point of view of agricullure 
and of industry. 
Full latitude is given to the competitors to treat this question as they shall 
think proper; yet it is thought that their attention should be more particularly 
called to the following points : 
1. What time is the most suitable for gathering the varechs fixed on rocks, 
and best reconciles the requirements of reproduction with the wants and usages 
of agriculture? Should we make two harvests in each year, or but a single 
one? Ought the varech to be plucked or cut? 
2. By what means is it practicable to conciliate to the greatest possible ex- 
tent the interests of agriculturists and those of the manufacturers of iodine and 
of alkaline salts ? 
3. What are the most proper modes of application to augment the effects of 
manuring with the varechs? Might not the employment of a mixture in suit- 
able proportions of the residuum of the lixiviation of kelp with the common 
varech be attended with good economical results? By what methods of pre- 
vious stratification and maceration might we succeed in profitably uniting the 
mineral matters contained in that residuum with the organic substances indis- 
pensable for completing the elements of vegetable nutrition, and in obtaining the 
maximum of useful effect ? 
The answers to these different questions, and to all others which the competi- 
tors may themselves propose, should be founded not on theoretical considerations, 
but on new and solid experiments, devised by the authors of the memoirs, and 
carefully described. The prize for competition is a gold medal of five hundred 
francs. The Society may, moreover, award medals of silver to the authors of 
memoirs which, without completely resolving the proposed questions, shall have 
furnished, nevertheless, useful indications of a nature to merit that distinction. 
The right is reserved of publishing in the memoirs of the Society, either in 
whole or in part, the manuscripts which shall be presented. 
The memoirs must be written in French, Latin, or English, and be addressed, 
free of charge, before the first of July, 1868, to the archivist of the Society, 
Dr. A. Le Jouis, rue de la Duchée, 29, at Cherbourg. Each manuscript will 
be preceded by a motto or epigraph, repeated in a sealed billet which contains 
the name and domicile of the author, as well as a declaration, signed by himself, 
that the production is unpublished, and has not before been submitted to com- 
petition. This billet will not be opened unless a prize shall have been awarded 
to the work, or it be judged worthy of publication in the memoirs of the Society. 
The manuscripts will remain the property of the Society. 
CueRsbouRG, June 8, 1865. 
MEMBERS OF THE BUREAU. 
Secretary, L. FLEURY. Perpetual Archiviste, Dr. A. Le Jouts. 
Treasurer, LEVIEUX. Vice-President, GEUFROY, Senior. 
