XI 



Earthmaster Earthwonn Culture Bed 

 For Intensive Propagation of Domesticated Earthworms 



(Name, working plans, photographs and descriptive 

 matter fully protected. All rights reserved. In- 

 vented and designed by Thomas J. Barrett, Roscoe, 

 California, as a part of the Earthmaster System. 

 Users may construct their own beds.) 



THE Earthmaster Culture Bed is presented as a complete basic 

 unit for conveniently developing and handling approximately 

 10,000 mature domesticated earthworms. In addition to its prac- 

 tical efficiency may be mentioned simplicity of construction, low 

 material cost, strength, durability, and accessibility. With the 

 superstructure and cover (see photos No. 10-11-12), it may be 

 used without any other housing. However, where the bed can 

 be shaded under a shed, lath house, tree, or other shelter, the 

 superstructure may be left off (see photos No. 2 3). 



The V-shaped construction of the compost compartment 

 (see photos No. 8 9) embraces the basic principle of the Earth- 

 master Culture Bed. It allows perfect aeration and drainage, 

 both very necessary in the successful propagation of the air- 

 breathing domesticated earthworms. On account of the V-shape, 

 when the bed is watered the water flows downward along the side 

 members, gradually becoming concentrated in the narrow por- 

 tion at the bottom. Then, through capillary attraction, the 

 moisture rises through the center toward the top. Thus the en- 

 tire mass of compost is kept uniformly moist throughout. 



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