VALEDICTORY. 



The correspondence course was to consist of twelve monthly lessons. This 

 is the last. It was also to include personal instruction by letter regarding any 

 difficulties which pupils might encounter. Those who availed themselves of the 

 privilege of asking advice have sometimes stated that the "correspondence" 

 lessons were as valuable to them as the printed ones. This part of the course 

 has not ended and all subscribers are requested to write me regarding the perplexi- 

 ties of their work, their failures and successes, their discoveries, their wants and 

 especially the material they can offer for sale. The Butterfly Farmer will not be 

 issued in future, but all subscribers will distinctly understand that they have paid 

 me for all which I may be able to teach them. 



The experiment of teaching butterfly farming by means of the correspond- 

 ence course has proven a success. I have made no money, but the subscriptions 

 have so nearly paid expenses that I am quite satisfied. I promised, at the outset, 

 to give these lessons without personal remuneration. While attending College 

 it is quite impossible to instruct beginners without asking them to pay the actual 

 cost of their instruction. It is probable that some deserving applicants could not 

 raise five dollars and have failed to receive the help necessary to start them in 

 this enchanting work. I do not know of such a case, however, for I have never 

 refused to mail the lessons because a person was unable to pay the price. On 

 the other hand, I have received many subscriptions from people who entered into 

 the spirit of my work and desired to participate in the good that is being done. 

 They cared really nothing for the lessons, but were pleased to know that someone 

 was trying to assist amateur entomologists. Gene Stratton Porter writes: "In 

 Ave of the letters that go in my mail bag this morning I have referred people 

 asking questions about moths to you; and this is of almost daily occurrence in 

 answering my mail." I cannot express the warmth of my gratitude to Mrs. 

 Porter and others who thus co-operate with my plans. The subscription price 

 has had the effect of discouraging curiosity seekers who would have absorbed 

 my time and sapped my energies, but in no instance, so far as I know, has it 

 prevented zealous, sincere inquirers from receiving instruction. 



There remain unsold a few copies of the lessons, and sets of these are 

 offered at the price of three dollars. Subscribers who have sent five dollars for 

 duplicate sets of lessons in order to have them bound have had two dollars 

 refunded. So long as they last, the twelve numbers of The Butterfly Farmer 

 will be sent to any address for three dollars. 



To Dr. Edward F. Bigelow, who permitted me to publish these lessons 

 under the auspices of The Agassiz Association, and to the scores and hundreds 

 who have assisted me in their preparation, I am profoundly grateful. 



XIMENA McGLASHAN. 



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