PLANTING BENCHES, J'.OXES (Mi TOTS 15 



careful consideration. If the house can be practically 

 and economically so arranged it is desirable to have 

 no bench for Chrysanthemums wider than four feet. 

 Such a bench will accommodate five rows of plants, 

 and its center is at all times easily accessible from 

 either side, although this is not the paramount con- 

 sideration. A full circulation of air among the plants 

 is at all time's desirable and not always easy of attain- 

 ment in fhe still, hot, humid days of August. In 

 benches wider than here stated the central rows of 

 plants will not grow as strong, nor produce generally 

 as fine flowers, and should leaf spot or any diseases 

 ^f the foliage appear, they will be difficult to control. 



Several years of experience with benches up to 

 six feet in width confirmed the observation that the 

 wide bench was a predisposing factor to attack when 

 detrimental atmospheric conditions prevailed. A four- 

 foot bench will accommodate five rows of plants, each 

 row ten inches apart, and there should be a space of 

 at least nine inches between the plants in the rows. 

 An occasional small-leaved variety will stand closer 

 planting, but in a general way the distance given 

 should be the rule. 



In preparing the bench for planting, careful 

 attention should be given to the drainage. The open 

 spaces between the boards should be covered with 

 some coarse material, such as the rougher portions of 

 the compost heap, so as to ensure keeping them open 

 for the passage of water. If fresh sod or turf be 

 plentiful a good plan is to cut some of this and lay 

 it, grass side down, over the drainage spaces. It will 

 keep them open throughout the season and the roots 

 will not be averse to it when they get within its reach. 

 The bench should be filled well up level to the top, as 

 the necessary firming of the soil after planting will 

 reduce it to the right level. 



