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 
3 
ty 
F 
3 
3 
Cc 
179. Metal stake 180. Zine tallies. 181. Common zinc 
label. tally. 
remain three or four years. These labels are attached either by 
wires, as a, b, Fig. 180, or they are wound about the limb as 
shown in ¢c, d, ande, in Fig. 180. The type of zine 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 
