EARTHWORM CULTURE 105 



maintain a steady supply of earthworm eggs for production of 

 breeding stock and for impregnating extensive culture beds and 

 compost heaps, as well as flower pots, beds, lawns, trees, shrubs, 

 and soil in general. 



We have found that the standard vegetable lug box, which 

 has and overall measurement of 14 inches wide, \7 l / 2 inches long 

 and 6 inches deep, answers all purposes for setting up earth- 

 worm culture. Such boxes are usually obtainable at the grocery 

 or market at the very reasonable cost of from three to ten cents 

 each. Lug boxes are light in weight, quite strong and durable, 

 and serve the purpose admirably. 



To conserve space, boxes may be stacked in tiers four to 

 ten boxes high. Tiers four or five boxes high are most con- 

 venient for easy handling. The tiers should be supported above 

 floor or ground upon a base about six inches high. Such a base 

 support may be made from 2x6" timber, . stood on edge and 

 properly spaced apart by cleats firmly nailed across the ends. 

 The illustrated plan shows the details of a base support with 

 overall dimensions 46 inches long and 17% inches wide, de- 

 signed to support three tiers of boxes. Such a base may be 

 made any length desired, but we have found in practice that in 

 leveling the base it is much easier to adjust a short base in a 

 perfectly level position, especially on uneven ground, than it is 

 to adjust a long base. Also, in shifting a base from one location 

 to another, the short, light base is more convenient to handle. 



The purpose of the base support is to provide ventilation and 

 drainage and also to prevent escape of the breeder worms. Breed- 

 ing boxes set flat upon the ground or floor provide a cool, damp 

 spot underneath the box and the worms may congregate or escape 

 under the box and burrow into the ground. Supported on a 

 base above floor or ground, the worms will remain in the boxes 

 where the food and moisture are. 



By the use of separators between the boxes (see illustra- 

 tions), made of 2 x 2" material, \7 l / 2 inches long and spaced 

 13*4 inches apart by lath cleats, the watering of cultures is 



