164 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



purposes. The blurring on being wet is the chief danger to the 

 horticulturist, and it is a real one, for the labels and directions 

 of packages sent may be rendered illegible by an accidental 

 wetting. The best ink is not inviolate if written on so hard and 

 highly glazed a paper that it cannot sink into it, and become a 

 part incorporate of the paper itself. There is not, however, often 

 any trouble on this score. For ordinary purposes I have found 

 " Carter's Raven Black Ink " very good. It is clear black and is 

 not injured by soaking. "Kosmian Safety Banking Ink" is an 

 ink gotten up for use where one is needed which cannot be eradi- 

 cated by any means short of cutting into the surface of the paper. 

 It certainly is an extremely good ink. It has withstood the 

 chemical tests to which I have seen it subjected. Where worth 

 while, a superior ink may be made by dissolving India ink in pure 

 acetic acid. This withstands water, alcohol, and chemicals. In 

 an experimental test this ink stood without altei'ation a twelve 

 months' exposure on a south roof. 



Discussion. 



In reply to an inquiry as to the best label for water plants the 

 essayist expressed the belief that pure tin would be entirely satisfac- 

 tory. Glass with the name etched or scratched would be good, but 

 liable to breakage. 



President Walcott said that he had used the pottery labels 

 described by the essayist, and thej' went to pieces the first win- 

 ter. He thought we should have to come back to the zinc label. 

 They are not strong when flat, but are easily bent out of shape, 

 and a great advantage had been found in bending them length- 

 wise at a right angle. He recommended writing on them with 

 a lead pencil after they have been moderately oxidized. Tin labels 

 should have a very permanent method of marking. He had seen 

 an English label prepared by soaking in a solution of lime and 

 sulphate of copper, but it was unworthy of attention. 



William C. Strong said that any label could be pulled up if one 

 were disposed to be mischievous, even if it had the arrow point 

 used at the Botanic Garden. For temporary use he would prefer 

 labels made of pine or cedar shingles to paper. 



Benjamin G. Smith had used the galvanized iron rod with zinc 

 labels, and has some written with ink fourteen years ago which are 

 still plain. He had used zinc wire in order to avoid galvanic 

 action. 



