BEDS, BENCHES AND WALKS 147 



cedar should be used, genuine pecky cypress 

 being undoubtedly the best. The sides 

 and bottom boards are not less than i inch 

 thick. The side boards are 8 inches wide. 



Fig. 84. Two types of wood benches. A, bottom boards 

 running lengthwise; B, bottom boards running crosswise 



The width of the bottom boards is imma- 

 terial, except that when in place they have a 

 space of a fourth-inch between them for 

 drainage. They are usually run length- 

 wise of the bed and are supported by cross- 

 beams, spaced not more than 4 feet apart. 



The size of the cross beams will depend 

 somewhat on the width of the bench, as 

 follows: 



For benches up to 4 feet wide 2x4 inches 



For benches from 4 to 6 feet wide.... 2x6 inches 

 For benches over 6 feet wide 2x8 inches 



The legs or posts are at least 4x4 inches 

 in size, and rest on concrete or brick piers. 

 Sometimes, when cement walks are used, 

 they are made to extend under the benches 

 far enough to act as a foundation for the 

 posts. 



