"In a previous issue of the Butterfly Farmer several good methods for pack- 

 ing beetles to ship were given. Another very good way is they can be sent 

 before drying, as in a fresh condition they can be handled with little danger of 

 injury. Secure a strong wooden box, place in the bottom a layer of cotton, 

 over it tissue paper, now a layer of beetles. Do not crowd. Another layer of 

 tissue paper over the beetles, then a layer of cotton and so on. 



"Always send a series if possible, when you wish a species named. It 

 is sometimes impossible to make a diagnosis from a single specimen. Rare 

 specimens should never be unmounted to be sent. In all probability they will 

 be destroyed as age has made them very brittle. 



"I know of an authority on beetles that had a series sent to him for deter- 

 mination. This was his reply: 'Without literature I am unable to determine 

 your beetles. If they are of importance to you I will send them to some one 

 that makes a specialty of this family and get them named for you.' This should 

 not in any way discourage the beginner. It is good to have a hobby. Read 

 all the books on the subject in which you are interested that are accessible. Take 

 as many journals as your pocketbook will admit." 



FILLING ORDERS FOR ART WORK. 



Letters frequently reach me containing money from people who wish a 

 box of specimens of butterflies and moths. Some are experimenting with art 

 work and wish the bright-hued specimens of a particular size or color. Others 

 wish to paint the flies and ask for striking combinations of color. By far the 

 larger proportion of these orders are from persons who wish to own a box of 

 butterflies, properly mounted. They wish them arranged in some neat and 

 attractive form with a due regard to harmonious blending or contrasting of 

 the colorings. As they sometimes put it, they want a "butterfly picture" on 

 a small scale. 



To fill these orders requires not only specimens which are spread, but 

 necessitates at least a cigar box lined with cork linoleum and the payment of 

 expressage. I make it a rule to fill no orders which are less than two dollars. 

 Smaller sums are returned. The specimens sent range in value from ten 

 cents to fifty cents each. A dozen of fair size and quality can be furnished 

 for two dollars. These specimens are not necessarily perfect and are usually 

 what dealers would term "seconds." Schmitt insect boxes or neat and service- 

 able boxes, are used to enclose the specimens when one desires to exhibit the 

 butterflies to their friends, and in such cases the actual cost of the boxes is 

 included in the order. 



NAMES OF PURCHASERS. 



The following are purchasers of eggs, pupae or perfect specimens and pay 

 cash for desiderata. They desire price lists. Satisfy yourself of their reliability, 

 make your own contracts and deal with them on your own terms and at your own 

 risk. All subscribers who are purchasers and all who have specimens for sale or 

 exchange may advertise under this heading without charge: 



Dr. William Barnes, 152 E. Prairie St., Decatur, 111. 



The Kny-Scheerer Co., 404-10 West 27th St., New York, N. Y. 

 Ward's Natural Science Establishment,, 84-102 College Ave., Rochester, 

 N. Y. 



J. G. Duthie, editor "Canadian Thresherman and Farmer," Winnipeg, 

 Canada. 



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