CHAPTER IV 



Planting Benches., Boxes or Pots 



In regard to future culture, American methods 

 differ widely from those of European countries, 

 where pot culture prevails, and the plants for many 

 weeks stand in the open air. Extremes of climate 

 debar such treatment here, for if the season be fine 

 the scorching heat and drying winds are most adverse, 

 while in a wet season the heavy rains keep the plants 

 continually soaked so that healthy growth is an impos- 

 sibility. Except in the South and the extreme West, 

 the large-flowered types of Chrysanthemum, whether 

 for exhibition or for commercial cut flower culture, 

 must, from the final potting or planting, be kept en- 

 tirely under glass for the remainder of their season. 

 To this there can be no exception. But the manner 

 of growing the plants under glass may be varied to 

 meet the requirements of the place. 



It has been demonstrated many times that the 

 very best of exhibition flowers can be grown upon the 

 average American greenhouse bench, which provides 

 four inches of soil; therefore those who have a house 

 with such benches . may unhesitatingly adopt that 

 method. Little need here be said about bench con- 

 struction, which may be cheap and of lumber entirely, 

 needing frequent renewal, or permanent of tile and 

 cement. Beyond this the bench is better raised above 

 the ground, if only one foot, the hight, of course, being 

 chiefly determined by the style of house and available 

 hight for the plants to grow. The length is deter- 

 mined by the house, but the width is a matter for 



