102 WOP'K AT HOME AND IN THE FIELD 



forated. The best way to do this is to push a red-hot iron wire 

 through the chip, making about half a dozen small holes in each 

 box. This method will give you clean holes of a uniform size 

 without otherwise injuring the boxes. 



Metal boxes possess the advantage that they keep the food 

 plants moist for a long time, while chip boxes allow them to dry 

 rather rapidly. Yet there are some larvae that do far better in the 

 latter, since such a quantity of moisture exudes through their skins 

 that they soon become uncomfortably wet if their apartment is not 

 well ventilated. Under these circumstances perhaps it is better to 

 take a supply of both, so that changes may be made as found 

 necessarj^. 



One grave objection to chip boxes, however, is the weakness of 

 the material. They are easily crushed by pressure, and a bottom 

 or a top disc of wood often falls out ; but this is easily overcome by 

 gluing narrow strips of calico round the top and bottom edges. 

 Chip boxes should alwaj's be treated in this way, and they will 

 then last five or six times as long. 



Your supply of boxes should always include one large one of 

 metal in which to bring home a supply of food for the larvae. If 

 you have a botanist's vasculum, by all means take it, for nothing 

 can serve this purpose better. If not, any rather large square tin 

 box will do, and this may be carried in your satchel, or a couple of 

 hooks may be soldered to it so that a leather strap can be fixed for 

 slinging it over your shoulder. 



The net required is that commonly known as the ' sweep net.' 

 It must be very strong, for it has to submit to rather rough usage. 

 The frame must be made of thick wire ; and the bag, which need 

 not be more than a foot deep, should be of strong calico or holland. 



Now with regard to the white material previously mentioned. 

 This may be a square of calico, hemmed round the edges. Nothing 

 is more convenient than this, as it occupies but little room in the 

 pocket when not in use, if neatly folded. The material need not 

 be thick, but the larger it is the better. Many prefer a white 

 umbrella or an ordinary umbrella with a white lining, but as this 

 is only a matter of taste and convenience you must decide for your- 

 self as to which you will use. 



If your field of operations is only a little way from your head 

 quarters, and quantity of luggage therefore not a serious considera- 

 tion, you may provide yourself with a heavy mallet, loaded if 

 necessary with a pound or two of lead. This will prove very useful 



