Bench Construction 



When this grouting sets, the post is held firmly, and will not settle, and 

 cannot be moved in any ordinary manner. It is desirable to set in this man- 

 ner only such posts as are intended to remain permanently, as it is quite 

 difficult to remove them in after-years. The posts should be set four feet 

 apart from the centers, so that, when the bearers are nailed on, a i6-ft. board 

 will just cover four sections. 



We use 23^ x4 in. hemlock for bearers, which are sawed, as shown in 

 cut, page 162, illustrating the manner of constructing the bench. The 

 bottom of the bench can be made of hemlock strips, which may run from 

 four inches to six inches in width, and one and one-quarter inches thick. 

 These should be nailed firmly with tenpenny nails so that they will not warp, 

 and should have spaces about a quarter of an inch in width between each 

 strip. A 2y2 in. x 4 in. hemlock scantling, re-sawed, makes a first-class strip 

 for this purpose, and a 1^4 in. x6 in. cypress or hemlock strip may be used 

 for sides. When this bench is finished, the bottom and sides should receive 

 a coat of Princess Metallic Paint, and the bench should not be filled wnth soil 

 until the paint is dry. 



Solid Beds 



An old method of growing carnations still practiced by some florists 

 is in solid beds. While this type of bed has many disadvantages, it has the 

 advantage of carrying the crop of carnation blooms in good condition farther 

 into the summer months than the ordinarv raised bench. But during the 



.4, E— Posts C—Soil 



B, D— 2- inch Plank F— Drainage 



G — Ground Line 



Cross Section of Solid Bed 



winter months it is apt to be slow ; that is, the flowers open slowly, and 

 the crop comes late. For this reason solid beds have generally been aban- 

 doned. Manv varieties of carnations also burst badlv when grown in solid 



163 



