Earthworms

Abstract

SEEING the correspondence on this subject, I am led to give the following fact, which affords a further proof of the necessity of a vegetable deposit being formed previous to the existence of earthworms as stated by Mr. Melvin (vol. xxix. p. 502). A field two years ago was converted into a garden, and on account of bad cultivation, and by reason of each crop being altogether removed for several years in succession, no worms were there, but after the application of a large quantity of stable manure worms have appeared by hundreds, and their castings after rain afford ample proof of their activity. TRANsformation of vegetable mould combined with animal refuse into available food for plants is here made evident.