Bench Construction 



last as long as the other wooden parts. It will be best to paint the iron 

 bearers, as well as the iron knees, with at least one coat of Princess Metallic 

 Paint. If two coats can be given, so much the better. The wooden sides, 

 composed of cypress, if painted with Princess Metallic Paint, will last sev- 

 eral years, and can be easily renewed by taking out the screws and putting 

 on a new piece. The iron knees should be occasionally painted ; at least, 

 whenever the sides are renewed. Ordinary stove bolts, with countersunk 

 heads, are used in holding the iron knees to the bearers. 



This bench is a better one for growing plants under the surface-watering 

 system than is the ordinary wooden bench. It possesses one cardinal advan- 

 tage, and that is the mass of moist brick which underlies the soil. This 

 brick serves as excellent drainage, and it also holds the heat which arises 

 from the steam pipes, giving it off to the soil in a modified condition ; and 

 when the 'steam pipes are shut off during the daytime this heat is still being 

 slowly passed off and upward through the soil. Upon benches constructed 

 in this manner we have been able to secure better average results than those 

 obtained from any other style of bench which we have as yet used ; but 

 under the ordinary surface-watering system I am of the opinion that the 

 ventilated tile bench first described will be practically as good. The disad- 

 vantage of this sub-irrigation bench is its first cost, as it is probably more 

 expensive to build than any of those mentioned. Such a bench will cost 

 from one to two dollars per running foot, according to the price which the 

 builder must pay for his posts and iron. 



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