14

A hobby that occupied the time of many of the children would be to catch bugs. It was recorded that Norman would sit for endless hours completely still that deer could walk right up to him, and upon getting a scent from him would only then scamper off.

15

Painting by Norman Criddle
Early 20th Century
Municipality of South Cypress, Manitoba, Canada

Credits:
Sipiweske Museum

16

Norman began to experiment with watercolours and it became very obvious that he had inherited the painting talents of his grandmother, Mary Ann Alabaster. He would sit for hours painting wildflowers, and collections of flowers that he would sent to Ottawa for identification. It was said that he never picked the plants he painted, but drew them while in the field or from memory.

17

Flower Arrangement Painting by Norman Criddle
Early 20th Century
Municipality of South Cypress, Manitoba, Canada

Credits:
Sipiweske Museum

18

The detail and abundance of these paintings caught the attention of Dr. Fletcher - "The Weed and Bug Mann of Ottawa" and he liked to be known. He would identify the paintings and return them to Norman.

19

Norman Criddle
Circa 1915
Municipality of South Cypress, Manitoba, Canada

Credits:
Sipiweske Museum

20

On a trip to Manitoba during the grasshopper plague Dr.Fletcher made sure that he visited St. Albans and met Norman. This was the start of a friendship and partnership that lasted for many years. Norman was employed by Dr. Fletcher to work in Ottawa during the winter and together they compiled a book, 'Farm Weeds'. It contained Norman's paintings with explanations from Dr. Fletcher. After inventing the first pesticide to deal with the awful plagues of grasshoppers infesting numerous farms around Canada he became known as 'The Grasshopper Expert'. It contained ParisGreen, water and sawdust and was applied around the perimeter of a field.

21

The First Lab
Circa 1915
Municipality of South Cypress, Manitoba, Canada

Credits:
Sipiweske Museum

22

In 1913 he was appointed 'permanent Field Entomologist in Manitoba' and was promised an entomology lab close to home.

23

The First Lab at the Homestead
1913-1923
Municipality of South Cypress, Manitoba, Canada

Credits:
Sipiweske Museum

24

It was built just down the hill from St. Albans and throughout the years many colleagues and fellow members of clubs would drops in to visit and see the environment that inspired Norman.

25

Basement for new Lab
Circa 1923
Municipality of South Cypress, Manitoba, Canada

Credits:
Kathy Noel

26

The digging of the basement for a larger and better equiped lab built in 1923.

27

The Second Entomology Lab
Circa 1923
Municipality of South Cypress, Manitoba, Canada

Credits:
Sipiweske Museum