If you are fond of raising potted plants, either in the house during the winter months or on your open porch in the summer season, you will want a number of plant stands, so as to keep the plants off the floor and furthermore by making the stands different heights, you can obtain a pleasing effect when arranging the group.

The stand here shown, can be made out of a discarded packing case that has 3/4" thick lumber; the job is a very simple one and your results should be most gratifying.

Make this stand about 8" square at the top and 10" square at the bottom. The height for the ordinary stand should be about 16". You can make stands in a variety of heights to suit your own need.

Method Of Procedure

Step No. 1: Carefully knock apart a packing case of suitable material and size for this project. Do not split the boards when doing this work. It is a good idea to put a flat board over the section of the case as you knock it apart and tap with the hammer along this board so as to prevent splitting the different pieces.

Step No. 2: Cut a top and bottom piece of sizes given in the above directions. Plane a slight bevel on the edges to conform with the slope of the sides.

Step No. 3: Cut out the side pieces and securely nail them to the top and bottom pieces; also nail the work together at the corners. Use 8 penny common wire nails (21/2"long).

Step No. 4: Take 1/4" thick strips of wood about 3/4" wide for the edges and the same thickness for the other pieces; nail them on the sides to form a pattern as shown. These strips should be nailed in place with l" brads (nails with small heads). Countersink all nails below the surface of the wood to permit puttying.

Step No. 5: Paint this stand three coats of oil paint. Use a two tone effect—that is, make the strips a different tone or color from the background; this is easily accomplished by first painting the entire job the same color and then the strips are finished in whatever color you desire.

Another pleasing and rather unusual effect can be obtained in the following manner. When applying the final coat of paint, which in this case should be a little heavier body, dust on white or common pit sand. This will produce a texture much like cement since the sand will adhere to the wet paint. Stands finished in this manner, blend in nicely with flower pots.