GARDEN FARMING 



front of the bench ; in fact, in some instances plants at the wall 

 side of the bench will be frosted while those at the front will be 

 unharmed. The space between the bench and the wall will allow 

 the heat to come up and warm the air in the angle between the 

 roof and the top of the bench. 



Materials of construction. Greenhouse benches may be made of 

 wood, metal, or concrete. Probably the ideal material is concrete, 

 but as there are few available designs for cement green- 

 house benches at the present time, and as it 

 has not yet been fully tested, little can be said 

 of its value. Iron, however, either in the 

 form of cast supports or of gas pipe has 

 long been in use ; and when 

 it is used merely as sup- 

 ports for slate sides 

 and bottoms 



Glass 



Glass 



FIG. 24. A lean-to house with wooden benches 



or for slate sides and tile bottoms, one of the most durable and 

 satisfactory types of bench is the result. 



Width of benches. The most satisfactory width for raised side 

 benches in greenhouses designed for forcing vegetables, roses, or 

 carnations is 3!- feet. This allows the worker to reach easily from 

 the front to the back of the bench, provided the bench is not too 

 high. The proper height of the bench is that of a desk; that is, 



