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less it is to entrust the work of tree-staying to 

 other than those who have practical knowledge 

 of the operation. The driving of wooden 

 wedges between the wire girdle and bark is, 

 to say the least of it, a very primitive and un- 

 satisfactory proceeding. 



In the repairing and strengthening of tree 

 limbs it should consistently be borne in mind 

 that any girdle or band that either partially 

 or wholly constricts the growth of a branch 

 defeats its own object by preventing the un- 

 interrupted flow of sap and strengthening of 

 the limb. With care in forming the band and 

 a proper method of adjusting, there is no 

 reason, however, why the desired object of 

 strengthening a stem or branch may not be 

 attained. But, on the other hand, a badly 

 formed, narrow band, too tightly applied and 

 without the requisite packing, may in a short 

 space of time be productive of the most un- 

 satisfactory results, particularly in the case of 

 young and fast-growing trees. The main 

 point is to fix the bands in such a way that 

 friction with the bark is avoided and the flow of 

 sap uninterrupted. Unfortunately, in the past 



