46 TOWN PLANTING 



bark and wood. The bands are usually made 

 2^ in. wide and of the particular shape of 

 the branch to be encircled, each being in 

 two parts, which are joined together by nuts 

 and bolts. This not only allows the band, 

 which is made of much larger circumference 

 than the branch so as to allow of the insertion 

 of a leather collar between it and the wood, 

 to be readily placed in position, but to be 

 slackened at any future time should necessity 

 so demand. The bands, whether around two 

 opposite branches or the trunk and a branch, 

 are then connected by a light iron rod and 

 fastened' to the bands at the points where 

 the bolts and nuts are placed. The con- 

 necting rod, which is divided into two parts 

 and joined together by a swivel and screw 

 for convenience in tightening, is usually made 

 of round iron about ^ in. in diameter. It 

 is usually simple enough to join a branch to 

 the main trunk, but in the case of connecting 

 up two branches so that one may act as a 

 support to the other, the greatest care and 

 good judgment will be required. 



