CARE OF THE FRUIT GARDEN. 49 



necessary to enter in a book the names of all the 

 varieties of fruits in the order of their planting. 

 And, besides this, and that we may promote a 

 familiar observation of all the characteristics of 

 each variety, its form, color, vigor, and varying 

 habits, it will be necessary to supplant the wood 

 labels of the nurseryman by something more 

 permanent, which shall be attached to each spec- 

 imen or at least so accessible that he who runs 

 may read. 



Painted stakes, written upon with a lead 

 pencil before the paint is hard, or with a lamp- 

 black brush, are often used for labeling the 

 small fruits. Strips of sheet zinc about half an 

 inch wide, and tapering to a slender point at 

 one end, are easily twisted loosely to a limb, and 

 are permanent and accessible without being too 

 conspicuous. The surface of the zinc being first 

 allowed to oxidize in the open air, and then 

 moistened, may be written upon with a common 

 lead pencil, and the marking will remain legible 

 for a score of years. For small fruits these zinc 

 strips might be attached to iron pins. This is 

 a neat, cheap, permanent, and very satisfactory 

 mode of marking. 



