838 



Popidar Science Monthly 



When this canvas-covered frame is hauled across the 

 field, it bewilders the grasshoppers so they hop into it 



"fairy grass." On and on 

 she wanders, stopping here 

 and there to gather some- 

 purple, lavender or almost 

 black grass, some fragrant 

 Sea-Lavender, some early 

 golden rod. Along the rail- 

 road tracks she gathers 

 clumps of Poligonella, our 

 cousin to Scotch heather, 

 and every now and then 

 she makes use of the net 

 which she carries to capture 

 some tiny butterfly with 

 gorgeously-colored wings. 



Who is this woman ? Why 

 does she collect these speci- 



Catching Grasshoppers by 

 the Bushel 



IN a Western State where grasshoppers 

 threatened entirely to destroy farm 

 crops, an inventive farmer made the grass- 

 hopper-catcher shown in accompanying 

 illustration. The device consists of a 

 framework over which is stretched can- 

 vas. On lower front section the teeth of 

 a mowing machine are mounted to form 

 a "catcher." As the contrivance moves 

 over the field the insects jump and are 

 caught by the catcher. A horse pulls the 

 grasshopper catcher along. 



mens, many of which seem so unattract- 

 ive and commonplace ? If you have 

 taken your stroll in the vicinity of Lexing- 

 ton, Mass., you will recognize her as Miss 

 Rose Whitney Smith, who has turned the 

 pleasures of a naturalist's work to prac- 

 tical use and has built up a flourishing 

 industry in which grasses, flowers, but- 

 terflies, etc., are skilfully employed for 

 decorating trays, mirrors, screens, etc. 

 The specimens are carefully prepared and 

 arranged artistically upon a background 

 of silk, protected on the one side 

 by plate glass, on the other by a sub- 

 stantial wooden or metal back. 



How a Woman Makes Money by 

 Putting Nature Under Glass 



A YOUNG woman, dressed for "hik- 

 ing" and walking with a brisk and 

 elastic step, is approaching from the 

 direction of the town. Her eyes, clear 

 and keen, searchingly wander from one 

 side of the road to the other. At a sandy 

 strip she leaves the road and begins to 

 gather some of the graceful, feathery 

 whisps of black grass growing there. She 

 chooses critically and uses great care in 

 placing the grass in the tin case which 

 she carries by a strap over her 

 shoulder. 



A short distance beyond 

 that sand lot, a marshy 

 meadow attracts her at- 

 tention. Boldly she wades 

 into the swamp and seems 

 pleased when she finds 

 some of that dainty and 

 delicate grass which is known as 



Miss Smith in her 

 "Nature Shop," 

 and, in the frame, a 

 sample of her artis- 

 tic decorative work 



