136 HARNESSING THE EARTHWORM 



top, resting on upper ends of side-wall members. The chamber 

 below the divider is filled with earthworm culture compost and 

 forms the permanent burrowing ground for approximately 

 10,000 mature breeding worms. Material of lower chamber is 

 changed two or three times a year. The space above the divider, 

 six inches deep, is filled with well-prepared culture compost and 

 forms the feeding, breeding and egg-capsule nest. The material 

 in the egg nest is worked over every two or three weeks, the 

 eggs harvested, castings sifted out and new material added. As 

 earthworm eggs hatch in from fourteen to twenty-one days from 

 the time they are produced, all increase is recovered by working 

 the egg nest every two or three weeks. Capsules are used for 

 establishing additional breeding beds, or for impregnating com- 

 post heaps, or for impregnating the soil in garden, flower pots, 

 nursery, orchard, farm, etc. 



Photo No. 10 



View showing primary cover in place, with supercover along- 

 side. Note that primary cover is used directly above compost 

 compartment, resting on edges of top rails. This cover is made 

 by tacking tow sack over a light frame. Contents of bed may 

 be watered through this cover, using sprinkler hose or can. 

 Cover acts as a water break and spreads water uniformly over 

 surface of bed. 



Photo No. 11 



View showing supercover in place, with side-walls folded on 

 top. This cover is made by tacking an opened tow sack on a 

 light frame, 36" x 36" square. Side-walls are made by tacking 

 the edge of an opened tow sack on each of the four sides of the 

 frame, leaving one edge of sack free to hang down as a side- 

 wall, as shown in photo No. 12. Purpose of the supercover is 

 for extra shade and protection during summer season, and as 

 protection against cold. Contents of bed may be watered 

 through the top of supercover, same as through the primary 

 cover. A light rain cover should be made of roofing paper or 



