A multi-layer arrangement of a tubular net is first positioned on a transfer tube. A toothed loader is used to slide the net along the outside of the transfer tube, to an end zone thereof which is slightly conical. When the net reaches the end zone, it falls onto a support tube in an arrangement of concentric layers. In this way, the outer layers of the loaded net have a maximum diameter equal to that of the transfer tube while the inner diameter of the loaded net, which corresponds to the outer diameter of the support tube, is less than the maximum diameter of the stretched net.