BEDS, BENCHES AND WALKS 151 



types. In one type the legs, bottom and 

 sides are cast separately in molds and then 

 put together in the greenhouse. In the other 

 type the whole bench is cast in a form built 

 in the house where it is to stand. There 

 are at least two firms having patents on 

 cement greenhouse benches and who are pre- 

 pared to sell or rent molds or forms for mak- 

 ing them. It is also possible for a skilled 

 mechanic to make forms to suit any special 

 location or for any form of bench. In mak- 

 ing concrete benches, care should be taken 

 to provide for adequate drainage through the 

 bottom and to see that they are thoroughly 

 reinforced. 



There has been some discussion as to the 

 effect of concrete benches on the growth of 

 plants. The author has had but little prac- 

 tical experience with them but quotes from 

 one of the largest users of concrete benches 

 in the country, as follows: 



"At my place I use only concrete benches 

 and the results and advantages .have been 

 very satisfactory, but I want to be open and 

 frank concerning the disadvantage, which is 

 only for the first year. Something in the 

 line of a chemical of a whitish nature ap- 

 pears on fresh new cement, and that seems 



