A PUPIL'S LETTER. 

 Nell McMurray, 323 Locust St., Clearfield, Pa., writes: 



I have just received my first butterfly money — $9.08 — from Prof. Reiff. Do 

 not think it is paltry, for it is quite enough to pay me for my pins and cork. But the 

 money is the least of the returns from my half-bushel chip basket full of material. 

 The best part I want to share with you, and so quote from Prof. Reiff's letter: 

 "I wish to congratulate you for your excellent care in packing, and as a result noth- 

 ing became damaged during the transport. As a whole, I am delighted with your 

 material, particularly with the specimens, which are, with a few exceptions, indeed 

 very first quality. You have done very good in your first year and you certainly 

 have the ability to do a good business in this line of work. I shall be very glad to 

 deal with you in the future." You deserve part of this praise, so I repeat it. 

 Prof. Reiff has sent me criticisms, advice and asked me to try to get certain material 

 for him. I am beginning to realize the kindness of entomologists and am losing my 

 fear of approaching them. I sent a box of moths to Dr. Barnes, and an order for 

 eggs of two species and specimens of a third came back. Today most of my re- 

 maining little moths went to the Kny Scheerer Company to fill an order. 



I have enjoyed studying your list in The Butterfly Farmer. How fine it is! 

 My specimens thus far are common. Doubtless you have a richer field, but I have 

 faith in our hills; surely I'll find a few flies that are worth while. 



A great bundle of unprinted newspaper was bought for ten cents, and is 

 mostly folded now ; cigar boxes are being piled up ; even my six calico frocks and 

 two white sunbonnets are ready to go to work. I hope all your pupils are anticipat- 

 ing as happy a summer as I am. About the first of May I expect to go to New 

 Washington — it's the cheapest place in the world to live if you are willing to dig 

 in the garden and pick fruit. Making frocks for friends has brought me $50, 

 which will be ample to pay for my bread and butter. I'll eat and sleep in a little 

 two-roomed house; my mother or one of my sisters will be with me most of the 

 time. But most of the hours will be spent working with the flies. I'll have much 

 more time to work than I had last year. Perhaps less time will be wasted, such as 

 raising larvae from the eggs when nearly full grown ones in colonies are common. I 

 did that with Hickory Halisidota. 



My brother is going to make me a light trap, and I have been planning to 

 hang it near the blooming tame honeysuckle bush, about the middle of May; if a 

 swarm of Autographa basigera comes, such as came last year for nectar, we'll 

 capture some. 



Some of Mr. Blackburn's locality pin labels have been ordered. They will 

 surely make a box of moths look more attractive as well as save time. I am anxious 

 to hear of your "card method of mounting." Once I thought I would be extrav- 

 agant and buy a few of the Denton mounts for my own collection. I'd rather 

 have a few flies well mounted than many poorly mounted. 



ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 



A forty-eight page illustrated magazine, published monthly except August 

 and September, devoted to the study of INSECT LIFE. It contains a list of 

 the titles of the current Entomological Literature, and also articles by the lead- 

 ing Entomologists in the United States and Canada. Valuable information 

 for the beginner, the economic entomologist and the systematist. To new sub- 

 scribers, $1.90; Renewals, $2.00; payable in advance. Single copies 25 cents. 

 Address Entomological News, 1900 Race St., Philadelphia, Pa. 



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