PARK AND CEMETERY. 
193 
OFFICIAL COMMUNICATIONS 
H. S. RICHARDS, Chicago, President 
AND CONTRIBUTIONS 
Wjgg 
J. J. LEVISON, Brooklyn, N.Y., Sec.-Treas. 
THE ASSOCIATION QUESTION BOX 
Tree Labels. 
In reply to a recent inquiry on tree la- 
bels, the labels I use are cast labels, giv- 
ing first the common name, then the Latin 
name, the common name being slightly 
larger letters. They were made for us by 
the New York Stencil Works, to our de- 
sign and order. If you will write to Mr. 
Thomas Jones, New York Stencil Works, 
100 Nassau street, New York City, he will 
undoubtedly be glad to quote you prices 
on these labels. They are better than any 
other label that I know of, because they 
are practically indestructible, are very legi- 
ble, and in the end cheaper than painted 
zinc labels, of which we use a great many 
thousands on our animal cages. These 
painted zinc labels we cut out of No. 9 
zinc in various sizes, wash with diluted 
acetic acid, then with clean water, and then 
given three coats of white lead ground 
color tinted sage green, upon which the 
legend is then painted in plain script let- 
ters with drop black. When this is thor- 
oughly dry the label is given a couple of 
coats of the best varnish we can buy. 
These labels last very well indoors, but I 
don’t like them for permanent outdoor 
labels. 
The enameled tree labels are very hand- 
some, but just as expensive as the cast 
labels and more vulnerable. They can be 
had from Benfield & Milne, 92 Fulton 
street, New York City; Ingram-Richard- 
soti Co., 100 William street, New York 
City; Enameled Iron Sign Co., 29 Mur- 
ray street, New York City. 
I forgot to say that I paint the cast 
labels with a black asphaltic paint, and 
when this is thoroughly dry, sandpaper off 
the raised portions of the labels, and then 
run them over with bathtub enamel and a 
common inking roller such as printers use. 
H. W. Merkel, 
Chief Forester and Constructor, New 
York Zoological Park. 
New York City. 
Gas Injury to Trees. 
‘We have several cases here of trees 
dying in large numbers, and whether the 
cause is attributable to gas which was es- 
caping in the place where the trees die we 
are unable to say. The gas company 
claims to be able to furnish expert testi- 
mony from chemists that the gas would 
not hurt the trees. We would be pleased 
if you could give us any definite informa- 
tion on this subject.” 
* * * 
Illuminating gas escaping around the 
roots of a tree injures the tree. The gas 
dissolves in the soil moisture and the roots 
absorb it in that condition. If the leakage 
is small, from two to three cubic feet a 
day, the injury may be slight and would 
make itself apparent by the presence of 
large quantities of dead branches. 5 But 
where the discharge is heavy or where the 
gas has been leaking in small quantities 
for a protracted period 1 : the entire tree will 
be killed and then there is no hope for its 
recovery. A tree affected by gas may be 
told by the drying and sudden falling of 
its foliage, and often by a deadened ap- 
pearance of the bark. Various species of 
fungi in compact masses soon follow on 
the trunk of the tree. The sapwood be- 
comes discolored and often emanates a 
peculiar characteristic odor. If the gas is 
still present in the soil it can be easily de- 
tected by this obnoxious odor. Thorough 
aeration of the soil will hasten the escape 
of the gas. 
The distance over which gas will travel 
depends on the character of the soil. In 
gravelly soils it is said to travel as far as 
2,000 feet, when the ground is frozen, and 
in heavier soils it is likely to be confined 
to smaller areas. 
For further reference I would suggest 
that you consult reports of the Massachu- 
setts Agricultural College. 
J. J. Levison, Secretary. 
there is one family of trees to which we 
should look with a sentiment of venera- 
tion and esteem. I refer to the Cotton- 
wood family, and particularly to the va- 
riety known as Populus Deltoides. Per- 
haps there is no other tree that has done 
so much for the development of Western 
interests. To the pioneers it proved the 
oasis of the plains, and since the earliest 
settlement of this section of the West it 
has been a friend and protector to man 
and beast, and I am thoroughly convinced 
that if it had received but a small portion 
of the attention that other foreign sub- 
jects have had it would not have lost its 
prestige as the most valuable tree of our 
mountain and plain region. 
Another and valuable type of the Cot- 
tonwood family is the Populus Angusti- 
folia, a narrow leafed variety of sturdy 
and compact growth. This variety, if nur- 
sery grown, when young, will make a val- 
uable tree for many purposes in park 
planting. 
Populus Tremuloides, the Quaker Asp, 
is a tree that should receive more atten- 
tion, as it livens up the landscape with its 
light bark and dainty foliage, which is 
almost continually in perpetual motion 
throughout the summer. 
In the intermediate or dwarfer class of 
trees we have many varieties worthy of 
extensive culture. I will enumerate a few 
of the best: 
Robinia, Neo-Mexicana, a dwarf pink 
Locust of graceful habit and free bloom- 
ing qualities. 
Acer Glabrmn, known as the Water 
Maple, of graceful and bushy growth, 
small, handsome foliage and slight pendu- 
lent branches. 
Acer Negundo, the common Box Elder, 
was extensively planted here by the early 
settlers, but in recent years has been to- 
tally discarded. 
Alnus Viridis, a strong growing Alder 
with water-loving tendencies, with oval to 
heart-shaped serrate foliage and long, 
slender catkins. 
Betula Occidentals, the Western Black 
Birch, like the Alder, is found along the 
banks of streams and is very bushy and 
vigorous. 
Crataegus Coloradensis is truly a West- 
ern Flawthorne. The flowers are not as 
fragrant as European varieties, but the 
fruit is quite large and showy. 
Primus Demissa, a slender growing 
Cherry of decided pendulent and graceful 
character. 
Primus Virginica, the Universal Chocke- 
Cherry, is very profuse in this section. 
Prunus Americana, the Wild Plum, is 
TREES AND SHRUBS OF THE COLORADO ROCKIES. 
Address before the Denver Convention of the American Asso- 
ciation of Park Superintendents, 
Probably there is no other branch of our 
vocation to which is given so little atten- 
tion as that of the cultivation of the in- 
digenous vegetation of the community in 
which we live. This, through the absence 
of such material in our parks throughout 
the country (and this location is no ex- 
ception) has suggested to me the advisa- 
by John Berry, Denver, Colo. 
bility of bringing to your attention the 
wealth of available material found in this 
section of the Rocky Mountains. 
DECIDUOUS TREES. 
In the matter of deciduous trees we are 
not overburdened, particularly in such va- 
rieties as are adapted to the aesthetic 
theories of present day requirements, but 
