56 MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN 
to write because of the slanting face, and to overcome this 
the labelers have devised two methods. One consists in pass- 
ing the standard of the label through a slanting V-shaped 
hole cut through the surface of a table, this bringing the oval 
portion flat on the table. A second and better way consists 
in cutting the same kind of a hole in a board 1% inch thick 
and near this hole fastening an oval block over which the 
label fits securely, making a rigid surface on which to write. 
The board is fastened to the table by a clamp. It frequently 
happens that labels of this type are badly bent by persons 
stepping on them, cultivators striking them, or even by the 
heaving action of frost, but they are readily straightened by 
placing them in a press moulded to their shape. The oval 
label, and in fact all zine labels, may be used a number of 
times if the lettering is removed with a weak solution of 
muriatie acid and the surface polished with sandpaper. 
Number 3 is a celluloid hanging label 2 x 3 inches with an. 
eyelet and a copper wire for attaching to plants. The writ- 
ing is done with India ink. This is an ideal label for vines 
and tall plants where the writing can be brought up to the 
level of the eye, but is only suitable for conservatory use. 
Number 4 is very similar to No. 3 except that it is of zine. 
This is a very good type of permanent label for trees, shrubs, 
and vines, but is not as easily read from a distance as No. 3. 
Sometimes, instead of being fastened with a wire, a brass nail 
is passed through the eyelet and the label nailed to the trunk 
of a tree. When tacked to stakes 2 x 21% inches and 2 feet 
high, this label is ideal for marking nursery rows. 
Another type of hanging label for trees and shrubs is No. 
5. This consists of a strip of sheet zine 814 inches long, 114 
inches wide at the top and tapering to a point at the bottom. 
In fastening this label the tapered portion is carried around 
the branch once and the end lapped over. The disadvantage 
of this label, and in fact all labels that are fastened to the 
stems and branches with wires, is that if it is not loosened 
occasionally the growth of the trees and shrubs will be re- 
stricted and sometimes malformed, or often the label will be 
broken off. 
Number 6 is a zine hanging label of a different pattern, 
with an eyelet and a copper wire. Its dimensions are 1 x 114 
inches. <A type of label that is used considerably for orchids 
