140 HARNESSING THE EARTHWORM 



throughout, but not soggy wet. In the first wetting down, water 

 is used freely and allowed to drain off. Subsequent waterings 

 are not so generous just well sprinkled to keep contents moist, 

 but not "soggy" wet. The prepared bed, is now impregnated 

 with 3,000 Domesticated Earthworm Egg-Capsules, by burying 

 them in the surface of the compost one to two inches deep. Dis- 

 tribute the capsules over the entire surface, using capsules and 

 material in which they are packed. Do not try to separate cap- 

 sules from packing material just dump entire contents on sur- 

 face of the compost, lightly rake it over the surface of bed and 

 then cover with a layer of fine compost to a depth of one to two 

 inches. For conserving the moisture and keeping the surface 

 of the compost from drying out too much, a layer of wet tow 

 sack should be placed on the surface. This should not be re- 

 moved during the development period of sixty to ninety days. 

 The water will soak right through it. The primary and super- 

 cover (photos No. 10, No. 11, and No. 12) are now put in place. 



Care of the Bed 



Contents of bed should not be disturbed for from sixty to 

 ninety days from date of planting capsules, except for water- 

 ing as often as is necessary to keep it moist, or for occasional 

 inspection to determine the condition of moisture. In cool 

 weather, one good watering each week is sufficient. In hot sum- 

 mer weather, a light sprinkling every day or two may be neces- 

 sary to keep the surface from drying out, with a good watering 

 once a week. Experience will show how often to water to keep 

 contents damp. The bed should never be allowed to dry out. 



Hatching of Capsules 



Earthmaster Domesticated Earthworm Egg-Capsules will 

 hatch out in from fourteen to twenty-one days. From one to as 

 high as twenty worms per egg may develop. They will probably 

 average three or four worms per capsule. It is estimated that 

 from 9,000 to 12,000 worms will develop from 3,000 capsules. 

 Earthworms mature and begin to breed in from sixty to ninety 



