A WORM FARM AT NOTTINGHAM.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 254, 26 October 1877, Page 4

A WORM FARM AT NOTTINGHAM.

{From Land and WaterA] When at Nottingham, a few days ago, 'on the Dyamite inquiry, I was much pleased at the discovery of, to me, an entirely new industry — namely, the rearing and education of, worms for the purposea of anglers. My friend, Mr Jardine, first mentioned to me that Mr Wells, fishing-tackle maker, of Sussex-street, Nottingham, carried ou a business and trade in worms, and he advised rae to call on him. Mr Savdge, of Nottingham, kiodiy accompanied me to Mr Wells' shop, at which can be purchased excellent fishing tackle of all sorts and kinds, especially that suited to Thames. and (rout bottom fishers. Mr Wells also carries on the occupation of barber. Mr Wells has several people in his employ who collect worms every favorable night during the year. He sells the following kinds of worms, viz., the lob, or dew worm, the cockspur, and the ring-tailed brandling. In dry weather worms are veiy Bcarce ; the men have to water. the ground for them. "t'n wet "weather the worms are better aod heavier. They are caught in the meadows and pasture lands io the neighborhood, the supply is not failing. Mr Wells complains tbey are building over many of the waste lands, and thus destroying his hunting-ground for worms. Mr Savage says it is a very interesting sight to see the lights of the "numerous worm-era when they are out with their lanterns collecting on a dark night. Unless it was known what these people were doing, it would be impossible to guess the cause bf this Will-o'-the-Wifcp catcher phenomenon. Men, women, and children are employed in worming. The worms are sold by the thousand or the quart. In a warm, moist night from two to sis thousand worms are brought in by the collectors. Some poople can collect worms much better than others. The worms are very cunning, and are apt to pop back into their holes if the person treads heavily. "You, sir," said Mr Wells, to a gentleman who formed oae of our party, " would make a capital wormcatcher." You should have seen my friend's face 1 (He is a great swell, and did not quite see why he, of all the company would make a good wormcatcher.) " Why would this gentleman make a good worm-catcher ? " I asked immediately. Says Wells, " You dee, air, the gentleman is so long on his pins, and has a great reach with his arm, so that he could stand still in one place and catch the worms all round him without moving about much. A short gentleman like you, sir (pointing to mf), would never make a wormcatcher; you havn't got reach enough in the arm, and you're too short in the leg. The worms are terrible artful things. This gentleman I'd back to catch worms ogainst you any night, and I'd give you a thousand worms in to start with." When the worms are brought in, Mr Wells at onoe begins his training operations by placing them in properly selected moss. Stag's horn moss will . not do at all, it is too harsh. Grass is bad. Field moss is the best. The worms are put into the moss to scour. A fresh-caught worm is very delicate and tender, and easily breaks up when put on a hook. When a worm is properly educated, he is as tough as a bit of indian-rubber, and behaves as a worm should when put on a hook The way to test a worm is to take him ap, and pass the finger gently down the length of bim. If anything comes out ol him he is not fit, and is put back for further training. The meaning of this is, that the wild worms contain, more or less, food undergoing digestion. When put into the moss this food disappears. The moss in some way facilitates this operation, but I cannot quite see how this is, unless the worms disgorge all their former food, and practically become very little else than skin. The keeping of worms depends very much upon the weather. They will not keep well above a week.' Mr Wells haß a supply ready for his customers all the year round. He goes over bis moss very frequently, picking out the " mauled and mashed " worms, and only sending to market the "plump and healthy " ones. He showed me the handsomest worm he bad on hand. It vraa the "maiden dew worm." The peculiarity about thia lovely maiden is that it had a very square tail, a small head, a long body, and no joints in the middle. This was the beet looking worm out of fourteen or fifteen thousand that were in the cellar, undergoing a course of education. The worms are packed up for market in moss; the bags used are of light canvas. The demand for worms is very great, and he sands largo numbers to London. In Nottingham alone there are 52 angling societies, and 1700 merabars. The interests of these anglers are ably looked after by Mr Savage. The business of worm-selling haa been going on for some 10 years, and is gradually increasing. The wormß are not counted out, but are guessed at. Mr Wells gives good measure. A member of the Piscatorial Society, told ma that he once counted oat. one of Weils' " thousand worm bags." Ha found he had 300 worms over. Nottingham worms are well known in all angliug localities. Last year he sent to London alone the large number of 400,000 worms. The griee variea much. They average 3s 6d

per 1000. The Worms lare principally used for barbel fishing. Not only does 'Mr Wells collect worms; but he also breeds them in considerable quantities. In his garden is a special heap made of vegetable matter, expressly for the purpose of breeding worms. I shall not, of course, say what aubstance for worm-breeding is most favourable; this is a professional secret. On turning the heap dverv where the worms are bred, it is Very interesting to see the worms in various stages of growih. Mr Wells knbws from, experience pretty well what 'the age of a worm is. I had the pleasure of pointing out to him the eggs of jfche worm. These are about three lities long, and somewhat oval. They have a sort of lid at each end, which opens when the young are liberated. I'believe that two young ones are sdme times produced from the same egg. I think my readers willagree With me that Mr Wells' business in -his worm farm ia quite unique. I w'ish him every Hubcess, and the patronage of all anglers. Frank Buckland.