SOILS AND CULTIVATION IN THE FLOWER GARDEN. 



293 



ScarletQak. 



I Ouercus 



-ggcoiqgus. I 



yyVMrnrr J 



Simplest label for trees. 



worth considering whether the best way would not be to let the water 

 off and turn the mud bed into a handsome grove of Willows and 

 Dogwoods, and an excellent covert at the same time. I know nothing 

 among trees quite so good in effect in the landscape, winter and 

 summer, as the white, red, and yellow Willows, with an undergrowth 

 of the red Dogwoods. 



Where possible it is best to do without labels, except where we 



grow many kinds of things that differ by slight shades, as Carnations 



and Roses. The contents of a garden are usually 



Labels. in a state of change ; we are continually adding to 



and taking from them ; new plants are introduced ; 



a severe winter kills a number of shrubs, which we determine not 



to replant. Fashion changes the garden vegetation too, and then the 



permanent labels, cast and burnt into hardware 



and cemented in cast iron, are thrown aside. I rdnr: 7t 



prefer a label which can be used again, such as 



a cast-iron label of "T shape" or, in other 



words, a slip of cast iron with an oblong head 



slightly thrown back. These are cast very 



cheaply in the iron districts. We have to paint 



them and write the names of the trees on them 



when they come to hand ; but that can be 



readily done by a handy painter in winter. In 



a large garden, where much naming is required, 



the best way is to train a youth who is likely to 



remain in the place, by placing a copy of the 



desired kind of letters before him. It is an 



advantage to give the label a coat of copal 



varnish when the letters are dry, and generally 



to use white letters on a black or dark ground, 



and give three coats of black over one of red 



lead. These are the best labels for the shrubs 



and choice young trees of a pleasure ground or flower garden. 



The painting will last for twenty years, and if we cease to cultivate 



the plants to which they belong, the labels may be repainted. 



With big trees it is always a mistake to use a ground label. The 

 best labels for large trees are made of pieces of tin about 4^ inches 

 by 3 \ inches. About half an inch of the upper edge should be bent 

 at a right angle so as to form a little coping for the label, two holes 

 should be made just beneath the little angle, through which a strong 

 copper wire should be put and firmly nailed to the tree. Place it so 

 as to be easily read, at about 5^ feet from the ground. Paint it dark 

 brown or black with white letters, and it will last for many years. All 

 labels inserted in the grass in pleasure grounds are liable to be pulled 



Position for tree label. 



