YOUR INSTRUCTORS ARE SCIENTISTS. 



It must seem absurd to old entomologists that "a slip of a girl," as Gladwin 

 of the Hearst papers calls me, should attempt to publish a magazine. It must 

 seem more absurd that having only studied the science fifteen months she should 

 advertise a complete correspondence course in entomology. Ii this were the 

 entire story it would be absurd. 



Almost at the outset I discovered that any one who attempts to break into 

 the charmed circle of the entomologists will find few guides. All the books are 

 printed for scientists, not beginners. The novice must grope his way as best he 

 can. The learned men who might help him are deeply absorbed in biological 

 problems which engross their time to the exclusion of almost everything else. The 

 very best that the beginner can hope to do is to fall into the clutches of some 

 collector who will teach him just enough about collecting to get his specimens. 

 If he tries to sell there is no one to assist him in finding honorable purchasers and 

 he meets with obstacles and disappointments. 



Scientists are generous to a fault. They are the happiest class of people 

 on earth and care the least for money or material things. They would gladly 

 help the worthy beginner but they really cannot afford to waste their time in 

 finding out who are worthy. The great mass oi' "beginners" are simply curiosity 

 seekers who do not possess the vim and endurance to succeed in any business, 

 however easy it may be. 



I was enabled to earn money the first day I began to collect, for my father 

 turned over to me an offer which Dr. William Barnes had made to him. In two 

 weeks I had made $75.00 and had learned that by propagating lepidoptera I 

 could increase my income. Before I had worked a month I was receiving $50 

 a week. Then the unexpected happened. Mr. L. A. P. Eichler, of the Sac- 

 lamento Bee, visited Truckee, learned of my novel avocation and published the 

 fact that women could earn a livelihood by collecting and propagating lepidoptera. 

 The story spread all over America and was translated and published in almost 

 every foreign language. 



There are eight children in our family and our parents teach us that next 

 to the duty of earning a living is the duty to help others. I taught all I knew to 

 all enquirers. This fact was published broadcast by the newspapers and maga- 

 zines. Again the unexpected occurred. Entomologists who learned that I was 

 giving free instruction to girls, women and men who wished to learn the business, 

 began to write encouraging letters and offered to aid me in dozens of ways. They 

 gave and loaned me rare books and records which money could not purchase. 

 They copied their private "records" for my benefit. They wrote long letters, 

 giving me valuable instruction on all branches of the work. I was enabled to 

 teach my pupils by circulars not only the things I knew, but the things which 

 the wisest scientists know. 



When it became apparent that no modern list oi' foodplants had been 

 published and I was compelled to undertake the task, some of the most noted 

 scientists of the nation were my assistants. The foodplant charts are imperfect 

 but afforded a basis for intelligent work, and the moment they were issued I began 

 to receive corrections and additions from all who have bred insects. During the 

 coming year I can publish revised lists of foodplants and the revisions will be the 

 product of the observations of savants who are eager to assist beginners. 



When the products of my farm assured an income which enabled me to 

 re-enter college and study entomology, biology and botany to fit me for future 

 work, the problem arose as to what I should do for my pupils. A comprehen- 

 sive correspondence course, at a nominal cost to cover expenses, seemed the only 

 solution. Before undertaking such a course I sent circular 9 to all scientists 



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