TOOLS AND INSTRUMENTS. 



195 



ROSA 



CANlNA 



N TEMP. ZONE 



Fig. 250.— Lead Label. 



dry the whole surface should be rubbed with an 

 oiled rag. A little practice is required to get 

 the letters nicely arranged. The label should 

 be attached to the plant by means of a piece of 

 iron wire. This label (see fig. 250) is used 

 exclusively at Kew for 

 all trees and shrubs in 

 the open. A form of 

 it is also used for label- 

 ling herbaceous and 

 alpine plants in the 

 rock - garden, where 

 wooden labels large 

 enough to be durable 

 are unsightly. The 



lead label is practically indestructible, and 

 although not cheap compared with wood, it is at 

 least as inexpensive as the other so-called inde- 

 structible labels. 



The "Acme" cast 

 labels (fig. 251) are 

 made of stout zinc, with 

 raised letters on a 

 black ground. They 

 are supported on stiff 

 wire stems, or have a 

 pair of eyes for suspen- 

 ding by wire or nailing 

 to a wall. Where the 

 lead label cannot con- 

 veniently be made, the 

 Acme or some such per- 

 manent label should be 

 used. These, with names 

 printed, are only made 

 to order. The "Im- 

 perishable Stratford 

 Label " differs from the 

 Acme in being made 

 of a white metal with 

 the raised letters in 

 black (fig. 252). 



THUYOPSIS 

 DOLABRATA 



JAPAN 



CUPRESSUS 



MACROCARPAi 



CALIFORNIA 



Fig. 251. 

 Acme" Cast Labels. 



Fig. 252.— "Imperishable 

 Stratford Labels". 



A very excellent zinc label has lately been 

 introduced, called " The Ideal ", made with stout 

 zinc, having four holes at the corners. When 

 fixed on the wire stems they have a neat appear- 



ance. The writing on the zinc face is done with 

 a neatly-pointed stick or quill pen dipped in 

 acid. The face of the zinc .should be rubbed 

 bright with emery-paper before being written 

 upon. 



Parchment labels used to be very generally 

 employed for the temporary labelling of plants, 

 but they were soon affected by the weather — in 

 damp weather getting into a state of pulp, and 

 in dry weather shrivelling up. They are now 

 superseded by a very excellent card-like label, 

 made from what is termed "Manilla substances". 

 Another composition label, known as the " Ivo- 

 rine Label ", and which is of thick parchment- 

 like substance, is now largely used for labelling 

 pot plants, especially Orchids. It is said to be 

 imperishable and unbreakable, and it can be 

 written upon by either pencil or pen, the writ- 

 ing being indelible, except when well rubbed 

 with soap. This label can be obtained from an} 7 

 dealer in horticultural sundries. 



Nail Bag.— A bag or large pocket for holding 

 nails and shreds, whilst nailing wall-trees, &c, 

 may either be made of stout close canvas or of 

 leather. In the latter case it sometimes contains 

 one or two small pockets for knives. It is sus- 

 pended by shoulder straps, and further secured 

 by a belt. All this may be necessary in nailing 

 against very high walls; but in ordinary cases, 

 the canvas answers the purpose sufficiently well, 

 and is at all times more pliable. 



Fig. 253.— Hand-glass. 



Hand-glasses are made in various shapes, their 

 bases being generally square, hexagonal, or 

 octagonal; but now that glass is cheap, and that 

 sheet-glass can be obtained of sizes corresponding 

 with those of the sides, the preference is given to 

 hand-glasses with only four sides. The frame- 

 work is usually constructed of lead, copper, or 

 cast-iron; the latter (fig. 253), if kept painted, 

 answers well, and is very durable and con- 

 venient; the top being movable, air can easily 

 be given without lifting the glass or injuring 

 the leaves of the plant in replacing it; and by 

 placing two or three of the lower portions above 

 each other, a protection of greater height may 

 be formed. 



