108 HARNESSING THE EARTHWORM 



the process. We have also discovered that it is much easier to 

 cut wet sacks than dry ones. So we usually soak a number of 

 sacks in a tub of water and cut them to the proper dimensions 

 for future use, according to the size of the culture beds to be 

 covered. In large culture beds, we do not cut the sacks at all. 

 For lug-box cultures one sack will provide for four boxes, the 

 edges of the squares being folded over at the sides and ends of 

 boxes. 



Preparation of Boxes 



Properly prepared culture boxes will last from two to four 

 years. Therefore an expenditure of time, plus a few cents cost 

 in material, is fully justified. Also we have found that there is 

 much greater "living satisfaction" to be derived from things well- 

 done over that derived from careless work. Boxes of the proper 

 dimensions may be made, the size not being arbitrary so long 

 as the depth is kept at about six inches. In intensive propaga- 

 tion for capsule production the depth is important. Earthworms 

 breed at the surface for the most part ; so in shallow box cul- 

 tures they quickly congregate on the surface under the damp 

 burlap cover. 



If vegetable lug boxes are used, select good boxes without 

 large knot holes. For drainage bore six to eight quarter-inch 

 holes, properly spaced over bottom of box. The cracks in bot- 

 tom provide additional drainage. Reinforce bottom of box by 

 nailing a lath cleat across it at each end, thus preventing the 

 thin boards from splitting off around the nail-heads. For each 

 box, cut ten pieces of plasterer's lath, thirteen inches long, to 

 be placed crosswise in bottom of box. This distributes the 

 weight of the wet compost evenly over the bottom of box, provides 

 drainage, and prevents sagging of the bottom boards. Also when 

 contents of box are dumped, the crosswise lath prevents the wet 

 compost from adhering to bottom. The lath may be used over 

 and over, the same as the box. For convenient handling, a small 



