HOW TO RAISE EARTHWORMS (FOR FUN AND PROFIT)
(Page 4 of 6)
The small grower will find that a box of earthworms makes a
good garbage disposal unit. Any kitchen refuse-or grass
clippings and dried leaves—can be used to feed the
creatures, and they'll thrive on it. Unlike the ground feed
mentioned above, such garbage may be mixed in with the
bedding material to eliminate odors.
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HARVESTING
The harvesting of worms—the first step in getting
them ready for sale—can be done in various ways (on
large farms the operation is often done on a moving belt
with assembly-line efficiency).
During the summer Doris and Art hire a number of helpers,
some of whom work at benches or tables of convenient height
for sitting or standing. These particular workers bring the
worm-filled compost from the pit to the sorting area in
flat shallow trays. Other employees, however, harvest the
stock while kneeling directly over the pits. One female
worker can pick well over 20,000 wigglers per day from a
heavily populated bed.
There's no need to think on such a grand scale for a
backyard operation, however. Harvesting at such a location
usually requires only two people: one to scoop the worms
out of the bins, the other to fill and cover the cups. Most
breeders count their earthworms individually or in lots of
five or ten when preparing the wigglers for the containers
in which they are to be sold.
Various types of packaging are used for shipping worms ...
there are even specially designed cartons, attractively
printed and fitted with perforated covers to admit air.
"Breather" type paper bags—light, efficient and quite
inexpensive—are also very popular. Doris and Art pack
their hybrids in slightly moistened peat moss placed in
both cartons and bags. For further protection, the small
containers are then put in either corrugated boxes or
lightweight wooden containers for long distance shipping by
parcel post (uninsured).
The price for which worms can be sold fluctuates throughout
the country. In one area twelve 50-worm cups may wholesale
at $3.00 - $4.50, while at the lake fishermen may pay
50¢—75¢ per container. The success and
earnings of your business will vary with locality, season
and demand ... plus your original investment and the effort
you put into the project.
WHERE AND HOW TO MARKET WORMS
If you intend your worm farm mainly as a service for
fishermen, tell all your sportsman friends—and the
neighborhood kids!—about the project. You can also
advertise in the newspapers and in hunting and fishing
magazines and put up a brightly colored sign to attract
attention.
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