METHODS OF LABELLING TREES AND PLANTS. 157 



MEETING FOR DISCUSSION. 



Methods of Labelltkg Trees akd Plants. 

 By Robert T. Jackson, Boston. 



To keep plants well labelled in a large garden is a difficult task, 

 and no one sjstem of labelling answers all needs. A label may 

 be required which shall last a longer or a shorter time, as for 

 perennials on the one hand, and seedlings, bedding plants, etc., 

 which are quickly raised and planted out or sold, on the other, 

 A conspicuous label may be desired, as in a botanic garden and 

 some sale gardens, or an inconspicuous one as in most private 

 gardens. Plants may be valuable enough to warrant a considerable 

 expenditure of time and money in means to insure their identifi- 

 cation, or the case may be otherwise. It is to be remembered that 

 labor generally costs more than anything else, and it is therefore 

 economy to use good labels so that they will last a long time. 



It is m}' intention in the following paper to consider some of 

 the best methods of labelling that I have seen employed, and those 

 I have used successfully in my own garden, together with sug- 

 gestions from other fields where, as in horticulture, labelling is a 

 necessary evil. 



To insure stability, metals are the most natural materials to turn 

 to from which to manufacture tallies ; the}" are also the most incon- 

 spicuous where that quality is desired. 



Zinc is most commonly used of all metals for this purpose, and 

 it is one of the best, as it is reasonably imperishable, cheap, and 

 very easily handled. Bright, clean zinc may be written on with a 

 chemical ink composed of an aqueous solution of chloride of 

 platinum or chloride of copper, the former probably the better of 

 the two. Ink may be obtained of a chemist or purchased under 

 the name of chemical ink for zinc labels. A quill pen should be 

 used in writing with this iuk. To prepare the zinc for chemical 

 ink, it should be cleaned with fine emery paper or very weak 

 muriatic acid, the latter preferred as it is not so likely to be fol- 

 lowed b}^ extensive oxidation, so injurious to the writing. Clean 

 with a rag dipped in very dilute acid, rinse in clear water, and 

 dry. After writing no further preparation is necessary. 



Zinc, when slightly roughened by the oxidation which coats its 

 surface after exposure, ma}' be written on with a soft lead pencil. 



