132 HARNESSING THE EARTHWORM 



Years of experience have abundantly demonstrated that it 

 is much better to maintain a battery of medium sized units 

 which can be completely serviced in rotation, day by day, rather 

 than large culture units which may have to be left partly serv- 

 iced, after a day's work. For this reason, the standard unit 

 described in this paper has been adopted and advocated in the 

 Earthmaster System. The complete unit, including cover and 

 superstructure, stands 36 inches high and 36 inches square. 



The primary purpose of maintaining a culture bed is to pro- 

 vide an easy and convenient method for harvesting earthworm 

 egg-capsules, for impregnation of additional culture beds for 

 breeding purposes, or for impregnation of compost heaps, flower 

 pots, lawns, gardens, orchards, or farms. Also, in intensive 

 production of domesticated earthworms, it is well to protect the 

 breeders from mixing with native earthworms. With Earth- 

 master Culture Beds, the pure cultures of domesticated earth- 

 worms may be maintained intact from mixing. 



MATERIALS CUT TO DIMENSION 



Lumber: 



Oregon pine, hemlock, or other available lumber. 



Corner Posts: 



4 pieces 2 x 4", 36" long. Variation: If superstructure is 

 not desired (see photo No. 3), make posts 30" long. 



Frame: 



10 pieces 1 x 6", 36" long. 2 pieces 1 x 4", 36" long. 



Bottom of Compost Compartment: 



2 pieces 1 x 6", 33J4" long, 2 pieces of lath, 33j^" long. 



Removable Sides of Compost Compartment: 



10 pieces 1 x 6", 20" long. 2 pieces 1 x 4", 20" long. Each 

 side requires 5 pieces 1x6" plus 1 piece 1 x 4". 



