The report of the authors of this paper contains nothing regarding the beneficial effects of earthworms but does discuss the importance of freezing temperatures which may kill large numbers in the fall of the year. Evidence is cited to show that earthwar~s were most active and grew best at 36°F. and were killed at 32°F.

In cultivated land the temperature of the top few inches of soil may drop rapidly to 32°F. or below. Such sudden reduction in temperature may destroy large numbers of earthworms which have not yet descended to lower depths. Surface mulches of organic material help prevent such drops in soil temperature and aid materially; in the survival of earthworms. Earthworms also survived satisfactorily in soil under and where sudden freezing in the fall did not occur.

       

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