EARTHWORM CULTURE 125 



a very high water content. Any lack of water slows down their 

 activity and reduces productivity of capsules. Beds should not 

 be flooded, but contents should be kept thoroughly moist though 

 not "soggy" wet. Experience will soon teach how to maintain 

 the best degree of moisture. 



Cover and Shade 



In the detailed construction plan we have not shown any 

 cover. A suitable cover, in easily removable sections, should be 

 provided to protect contents of bed from flooding rains and to 

 provide shade and darkness. Worms work best in shade and 

 darkness. Rain water is very fine for the worms, so long as 

 contents of bed are not flooded. If a good shade tree is con- 

 veniently located the bed can be placed, preferably, on north 

 side of tree. This keeps the culture bed as cool as possible during 

 the hot summer months. Worms should not be exposed to hot 

 sunshine directly. However, they are the most active when kept 

 at summer temperatures of from sixty to eighty degrees. In 

 warm earth the greatest production of capsules will be had. 



Moisture Conservation 



For moisture conservation and to prevent surface drying 

 out, we always use on top of the compost surface a layer of old 

 tow sacks or burlap. Old feed bags, potato sacks, or other 

 porous material can be used. The bed can be watered through 

 this cover material without disturbing the surface of the compost. 

 The cover material acts as a water-break and spreader, so that, 

 in watering with a hose or sprinkler head, the worms and sur- 

 face of compost are not disturbed by force of the water stream. 

 It is always best to use a sprinkler head on the garden hose, as 

 this distributes the water to better advantage, without flooding. 



Garbage Disposal and Waste Utilization 



All kitchen waste (garbage) is perfect earthworm food and 

 may be disposed of as it accumulates, spreading it on the compost 



