Since Neodiprion swainei Midd. overwinters within cocoons in the soil, it is necessary for the population ecologist to sample the forest floor. One-footsquare units of soil have been used for sampling cocoons in population studies of N. swainei in the Province of Quebec. After removal from the forest floor the samples were placed individually in cotton bags for shipment to the laboratory. The ordinary method to extract cocoons required that the samples be first broken up by hand, then passed over various-sized screens to eliminate the sand and other small particles. Following this, each sample was carefully manipulated and scrutinized by one worker and the cocoons removed, then similarly re-examined by another worker. Best results were obtained when the samples were dry.