Sericulture - the rearing of silk worms for the production of silk - has been well understood for centuries. Heliciculture - the raising of snails for human consumption - is equally ancient. But it’s only in the last 100 years that snails have been raised specifically so their trails can be harvested, dried and fashioned into support struts for Upper Atmosphere Wind Spears and as guides for early versions of the Atmospheric Railway. Straighter trails are, of course, easier to work with so here at the Snail Trail Trials Centre breeding snails from across the UK are brought and the straightness of their trails is determined. (Snail trail lanes not shown)