From the November 1932 issue of Modern Mechanix, an idea from an era when people were a lot more cavalier about electricity. Personally, I prefer the safer worm grunting method. Via Modern Mechanix.
Update: Reader Don pointed out the similarity of this idea to the plot of a 1970s horror movie in which a downed power line causes a upward migration of killer worms. Here’s the trailer:
There is a horror film from the 70s about a downed power line causing swarms of killer worms. It was also fodder for Mystery Science Theater 3000.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Squirm_%28film%29
Don-thank you for that! Here’s the trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyTpkR2cwLo.
I am too terrified to watch that. I cannot stand birds on a telephone line, showers, ants–all because of horror movies. However, great apes, godzillas, and that sort of monster does not frighten me at all, just things that don’t exist or not in my world.
I miss Mystery Science Theater 3000.
Grunting…as a young man in Ohio, way back when, I would sink a spade fork into the soil as far as I could. Then grasp the handle, pull back and let go…the spade would vibrate, driving the worms to the surface( I had heard that the worms would feel the vibration and try to escape predators, i.e. moles, by going above ground), easier than digging and my mother appreciated the fact that I didn’t dig holes all over the lawn. Got plenty of bait that way. I think I learned that from either Outdoor Life or Sports Afield magazine
How cool! No special equipment necessary…
I’m sure no worms were harmed during the making of that movie, however, I’m sure some acting careers were!!
Imagine the havoc wrought by electrical shocks used in hydraulic fracturing (fracking) to break up rock.