NOT A “WATERWORM”

Grey River Argus, 30 June 1947, Page 8

NOT A “WATERWORM”

The humble earthworm is. not a lover of water-logged conditions of the soil, and adequate drainage of heavy lands tends to encourage its activities. These organisms pass large quantities of soil through their bodies in the process of absorbing organic food, and they contribute in no' small measure to improvement in the structure ’of the soil and the readiness with which it is permeated by water.

Under habitually wet conditionsthe worm population is comparatively small; and undesirable species of plants such as rushes, sedges, buttercup, pennyroyal, docks and glyceria tend to become dominant.' These plants thrive better, qr are able to tolerate excess water in, the soil to a greater extent than \the more useful plants. By restricting the growth of better species, excess water' also' restricts the effects to be obtained, from the application of lime andpertilisers, and consequently renders the use of these less profitable.