222 BENCHES FOR CARNATIONS 



Where time and circumstances permit, a very satis- 

 factory bench is one with the sides of concrete, of suitable 

 width and height, and the space between filled in with 

 soil or other suitable material, beaten down hard, level 

 with the walls. On this, either round or square porous 

 drain tiles are placed plumb with the edge of the wall, or 

 overhung sufficiently to allow the heating pipes being 

 carried underneath along the walls. This method permits 

 a very neat and convenient arrangement of the heating 

 pipes. The sides can be either of wood or cement as 

 shown in the illustration on page 224. 



Some successful growers favor the " solid " bench of 

 various heights; a few the " ground bed." The adoption 

 of these is probably advisable at times on sloping land, 

 but our experience leads us to the opinion that while long 

 stems and good quality of bloom are obtained, it is at the 

 expense of quantity. 



CEMENT BENCHES 



Cement has been used for many building purposes in 

 recent times, and more latterly florists have made free use 

 of it for the construction of benches in greenhouses. Al- 

 though the initial cost is greater than for wooden benches, 

 yet when once erected the cement bench lasts one's hfetime. 

 If the grower has a supply of clean gravel at hand he should 

 have little hesitation in adopting the cement bench, or well 

 sifted rough cinders can also be used, but not fine ashes. 



If the grower makes his own benches, as can easily be 

 done with a little skill on his part, it would be well for 

 him beforehand to look around and purchase a quantity of 

 flooring or old timber, which may sometimes be had cheap. 



The first necessity is the posts, which can be formed in a 

 mold similar to those shown in the accompanying cut. 



