156 



MANUAL OF GARDENING 



which the name is written with white paint. Many persons, 

 however, prefer to paint the zinc white, and .write or stamp the 

 label with black ink or black type. Two strong wire legs are 

 soldered to the label, and these prevent it from turning around. 

 These labels are, of course, much more expensive than the 

 ordinary stake labels, and are usually not so satisfactory, al- 

 though more attractive. 



For labeling trees, various kinds of zinc tallies are in common 



use, as shown in Figs. 180 and 181. Fresh zinc takes a lead pencil 



readily, and the writing often becomes more 



legible as it becomes older, and it will usually 



i,f:m. 



179. Metal stake 

 label. 



181. Common zinc 

 tally. 



remain three or four years. These labels are attached either by 

 wires, as a, h, Fig. 180, or they are wound about the limb as 

 shown in c, d, and e, in Fig. 180. The type of zinc label most in 

 use is a simple strip of zinc, as shown in Fig. 181, wrapped about 

 the limb. The metal is so flexible that it expands readily with 

 the growth of the branch. While these zinc labels are durable, 

 they are very inconspicuous because of their neutral color, and 

 it is often difficult to find them in dense masses of foliage. 



The common wooden label of the nurserymen (Fig. 182) is 

 perhaps as useful as any for general purposes. If the label has 

 had a light coat of thin white lead, and the legend has been made 



1 



