Worms
Under this name will be discussed only the Earth Worms, since the Nematoid Worms have been already treated of. The Earth Worms all belong to the genus Lumbricus; but many species have been named and described. Their general appearance is too well known to call for description. They possess two rows of bristles along the sides of the body, so short as to be almost invisible, but stiff, and adapted for enabling the Worms to move by their aid; they can be felt on drawing a finger along the sides of the body from behind forwards. On damp evenings and nights the Worms stretch out of their holes to seize on food, and to drag it into their burrows. The trembling of the soil due to footsteps, or the approach of a light, causes a very rapid retreat into their holes. In winter, and in very dry weather, they burrow deep into the soil, beyond the reach of cold and droughts. They feed on decaying vegetable substances, and swallow much earth to obtain such remains of plants as are in it. The earth, after the vegetable matter is digested by the Worm, is ejected close to the opening of the burrow in the form known to all gardeners as "worm-castings."
In most cases, Worms ought to be regarded as useful creatures, since they constantly renew the surface soil with finely-divided earth brought from the subsoil, and, by means of their burrows, allow the free penetration of rain and air to greater depths than would otherwise be reached. They also promote the more rapid decay of the vegetable remains in the soil. But, on the other hand, they are obnoxious on lawns and in flower borders, because of the untidy appearance of their castings, and of the pieces of leaves, paper, and other things dragged partially into their burrows. They also disfigure plants by dragging in the ends of living leaves. When they get into flower-pots, they are trouble-some or hurtful, and should be ejected.
Remedies. After or during mild, warm showers in the dusk of evening, Worms crawl out in large numbers from their holes in search of food, and can be collected by the aid of a lantern; but the operation must be quickly performed, for the reason above stated. Watering the soil--weather in a flower-pot, lawn, or flower border--with a weak solution of smelling salts or Carbonate of Ammonia causes the Worms to come to the surface in a nearly helpless state; and an infusion prepared from Walnut leaves has the same effect. This should be done in the evening. An undue increase in their numbers may be checked by keeping in gardens such creatures as hedgehogs, shrew-mice, frogs, and the Testacella slugs, which feed largely on Worms.