while, in the case of a rope winding in a groove, it is supported on about one-quarter of its circumference, bringing many more wires to bear on the drum and dividing the pressure between them. A wooden-lagged drum causes less wear on a rope than an ungrooved iron-shell drum, as grooves are gradually worn in the lagging, but is not so good as a grooved iron drum. It is not good practice to allow a rope to wind on itself, and the drum should be long enough to take the full length of the rope required for the hoist. At least two turns of the rope should be on the drum when the load is at the bottom, as the friction between the rope and drum thus greatly lessens the strain coming on the rope at the point where it is fastened to the drum. Allowance for two or three additional turns of the rope should also be made so that the cage may be hoisted above the landing.