SUPPORTING HEAVY BRANCHES 43 



placed between the branch and supporting post, 

 and the two made fast by a band of hoop iron. 

 Sometimes a cross-piece of wood about 12 

 inches long is nailed on top of the post, this 

 serving as a rest for the branch to be supported. 

 At what distance from the main stem the 

 supporting prop should be placed in contact 

 with the branch can only be decided on the 

 ground and after a careful examination, but in 

 all cases the greatest weight of branch should 

 be between the trunk and its support. 



Leather and rubber have been found by far 

 the most suitable mediums for placing between 

 the iron band and stem or branch that is to be 

 supported, not only on account of their lasting 

 properties, but because of smoothness of surface 

 and the ease with which they may be adjusted. 

 Old leather or disused machinery-bands are 

 cheap and serve the purpose well, and when 

 being prepared for use should be cut a little 

 wider than the iron band with which they are 

 to be used. Sometimes felt or other like 

 substances have been used, but they are not to 

 be compared, for efficiency or lasting properties, 

 with either leather or rubber. 



