Geographic Prizes. 207 



North America, and that it shall be comprehensive in its scope 

 and limited in its length, so as to afford opportunity for origi- 

 nality of treatment. The cooperation of state superintendents of 

 education will be sought by the Society. The best essayist of 

 each' state will receive a certificate of efficiency from the National 

 Geographic Society. The Geographic Gold jMedal of the Na- 

 tional Geographic Society will be awarded to the best essayist 

 of the entire country, while the second best essayist will receive 

 a certificate of honorable mention. The subject of the essay for 

 1893 will be announced shortly. 



GENERAL RULES. 



1 . Essays will be received only from such public high schools as form- 

 ally announce their intention to compete by May 31 of each year. 



2. All essays must be entirely composed by the pupil, who must certify 

 on honor that he has not received aid from any person. 



3. No essay shall exceed 2,500 words in length. 



4. In each state the superintendent of public schools, if his cooperation 

 can be secured, will select by such i:)rocess as he deems advisable the 

 three best essays, which shall be passed on by a committee of the National 

 Geographic Society in order to select the best essay for each state and for 

 the United States. 



5. The certificate issued to the best essayist of each state shall set forth 



in proper terms that , being one of essayists from 



public high school, in the state of , is awarded this certificate by 



The National Geographic Society for his proficiency in geographic 

 science. 



G. No certificate shall be awarded to any competitor unless in the 

 opinion of the judges the essay offered possesses sufficient merit to justify 

 such award. 



It is desired that the superintendent of public schools in each 

 state shall select, by such method as he deems advisable, the 

 three best essays, and from the collection of such essays the 

 committee of the National Geographic Society will select the best 

 essay for each state and for the United States. One of the most 

 important aims of the National Geographic Society is to stimu- 

 late and make more practical the study of geography, particu- 

 larl}^ with reference to America. The Society therefore seeks 

 the cooperation of all educational workers in making its labors 

 more efficient and general. To this end gifts for medals and 

 scholarships are solicited and identification with the Society by 

 active membershij) and personal effort are urged. 



