THE RETAIL GROWER'S BENCHES 



81 



Fig. 24. — ^Well-made Benches and Beds. Concrete successfully used in one of 



the Begonia houses of J. A. Peterson, Westwood, Cincinnati, O. Whether you 



use wood, concrete or tile in making your benches, build primsuily for convenience, 



durability, cleanliness and economy of space 



torn and sides of benches has as yet not proven satisfactory in every 

 case and to answer all purposes. At present heavy Cypress lumber 

 is considered the best even by the largest growers. This is not to say 

 that there are not some good concrete benches, and other good ones 

 made of tile, but they certainly have not been found practical enough 

 to appeal to the great majority. 



For convenience, a bench 4 ft. in width is the best if you grow 

 Roses, Carnations or Chrysanthemums. When a bench gets over 

 5 ft. it is no longer practical for the growing of cut flowers. You 

 cannot attend to the plants properly, nor will they dp as well. In 

 depth a 6-in. board nailed on the side of the benches will answer for 

 most plants grown. Instead of using tins or triangular pieces, 

 of wood to be nailed on the inside to hold the sides in position, we 

 make use of angle irons screwed to the crosspiece holding up the 

 bottom of the bench, and to the sides, holding the sides in perfect 

 shape, no matter what the weight of the soil inside of the bench. 



Every bench should be provided with proper drainage and at 

 least a J^-in. space should be allowed between the bottom boards for 

 that pm-pose. Laying the bottom boards lengthwise wiU make the 

 removal of the soil when emptying the bench much easier. 



