The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-07-02
PRIZES OFFERED BY NATIONS
For Killing or Cactus. Establishing Now
Business, Finding New Methods.

Many persons, no doubt, will conclude that
there is practically no chance Of securing
such desirable prizes az the large sums Of
money-five prizes each worth Es,0Oo-
offered by the Nobel bequest, where it
is absolutely needful to have attainments
OF both a learned and brilliant nature; yet,
saws Tit Bits, study of the following par
ticulars of prizes which are being offered
to-day will show that there are other splen-
did opportunities we'll within the scope
of most people.
Among the many varieties OF cactus there
Is one which is known as the prickly pear;
it is a rather attractive looking plant but
its leaves are covered with hair sharp
enough to pierce the hands of any one who
ia 80 rash as to touch it. The plant came
originally from America, but after 1t was
introduced in some manner or other into
Queensland it spread 40 rapidly and to
such an extent that in some districts 1t has
practically destroyed all other vegetation.
The Queensland Government is still Offer
ing a reward of 5000 to any one who can
devise a method by which it can be COM
pletely eradicated.
The British Consul at Palermo Hot long
since sent despatch to the Foreign Office
containing information regarding pre-
MUM of 600 that the municipality OF
Catania is offering. In orGer to encourage
local industrial enterprise this sum is TO
be awarded to the individual who estab-
fishes some new industry in the town. This
trade is to be Of such nature that it will
employ not fewer than 100 workmen. A
further Ct 600 will Ike paid for every addi-
tional fifty hands that are afterward EN-.
ployed These sums would be payable at
the end of the year in Ave equal install
ments.
Five hundred pounds is to be obtained
from the Government OF Holland. AS most
people are aware, the Dutch are the most
expert diamond cutters in the world. but
in this diamond cutting it ia necessary to
use an alloy which is dangerous to hea It'll.
Is it possible to find method OF doing
without the aid of this alloy?
Again, to turn to very different source
of money making by competit ion. there is
e5OO being offered by the well known firm
of Ricordi Il Co. In order to encourage
English opera that firm has offered this prize
to be competed for by English subjects alone
and has guaranteed to produce the success .
Garden. M. Massenct has already been
secured as one of the adjudicators.
One of the biggest prizes on offer at the
present time is for no less sum than f5,3 200:
This is being offered by the Russian Imperial
Ministry of Finance. and the last date for
claiming it is July next. The subject OF
the competition. however, is Of a technical
nature, for what the Russian Minister wants
is a good and reliable system OF denaturing
alcohol 49,,
Women can gain n prize of GOO which
ia being offered by the Women's Institute
Of Science at Naples it IL to be given for
the best work on any subject OF scientific
research, but it must be based on indie
pendent laboratory experiments
Another interesting subject is -The best.
least irksome, and least costly method Of
securing the male able-bodied youth OF
this country for service in the regular or
auxiliary forces as existing, and for expand
ing these forces In the time of war For the
three best essays dealing with these topics
the Royal United Service Institution offers
prizes consisting of 100 guineas, 30 guin sas
a. q 10 suineas.