338 Agbioultueal Expeeimeni' Station, Ithaca, N. Y. 



but we do not seem to have found the ideal label, although the one 

 which is here described seems to satisfy more needs than any other 

 which we have been able to secure. We first tried zinc labels, cut in 

 narrow strips from a sheet of the metal. The record is made upon the 

 zinc with a soft lead pencil and the label is then wound about h branch. 

 Very often the record is indistinct upon the zinc label, but the chief 

 fault is its inconspicuousness. It requires much searching to find a zinc 

 label upon a large tree, and this objection holds with every practicable 

 tree label which has been introduced, even with the three or four-inch 

 pine labels which are common in the market. We next tried patent 

 zinc and copper labels which are cut from very thin metal so that the 

 record can be made by the impression of a sharp point or style. These 

 pretty and so-called indestructible labels are furnished with an eyelet 

 through which the wire passes. We were much pleased with these 

 labels when we put them upon our orchard trees one fall; but the next 

 spring we found that the metal had broken away from the eyelets and 

 nothing remained of them but a hole hung upon a wire. 



We now label our trees with the device shown in the illustration. 

 We buy the pine "package label" which is used by nurserymen, 

 and which is 6 in. long and 1^ in. wide. These labels cost, painted, 

 $1.30 per thousand. These are wired with stiff, heavy galvanized wire, 

 much like that used for pail bales and not less than eighteen inches is 

 used upon each label. Hooks are turned in the ends of the wires before 

 the labels are taken to the field. A pail of pure white lead, well thinned 

 with oil, is taken to the field with the labels. The record is made with 

 a very soft pencil, the label is dipped into the paint, the wire is placed 

 about a conspicuous limb and the hooks are joined with a pair of pliers. 

 The paint at firbt almost completely obscures the writing, but some of 

 it drips off and the remainder dries in, so that the record becomes 

 bright and the soft pencil marks are indelibly preserved, while the 

 label remains white. If the paint is brushed on, the soft writing will 

 be blurred . If in the future the wood becomes grey, the label can be 

 brightened by immersing it in a pot of white lead, without removing 

 it from the tree. The large loop of wire allows of the growth of the 

 branch and the label hangs so low that it can be seen at a glance. The 

 heavy, stiff wire insures the safety of the label against boys and work- 

 men. It cannot be removed without a pair of piucers. The label is 

 large enough to allow of a complete record of the name of the variety, 

 the place of purchase, age, and other matters; and it is readily found. 



For temporary or annual plants, where little horse work is done, 

 we like the commercial garden stakes, 12x1:^^ in. These cost us, 



