le is that if the cells of the
scions are distended with water a certain chemical process is going on
all the while, because a scion is just as much alive as the red
squirrel; it is a living organism. Now then, if the cells are a very
little below normal dryness the chemical processes mostly cease, and
that is better. We have to use nice judgment in avoiding having a scion
so dry that its cells perish or so moist that its cells are undergoing
chemical processes too rapidly. Our scions are cut, say, the last of
November, then covered with leaves enough to prevent freezing and
thawing. That will carry scions pretty well through the winter and
perhaps is the best way, but we must never forget that in dealing with
scions we are dealing with living red squirrels just as when we are
dealing with pollen.

A Member: Are the leaves moist or dry?

The Chairman: The driest leaves in the woods contain more water than you
think they do. They carry enough to maintain the life of the cells, if
they are packed pretty firmly about your scions, and at the same time
the scions are still allowed to breathe. I keep them above ground. I put
a layer of shingles on the cellar floor, if I've got a bare ground
cellar floor, and then a layer of very fine leaves like locust leaves,
then a single layer of scions and then a good big heap of leaves over
those, packed tight, a good big heap of apple leaves or anything you
have at hand. Try it on the basis of principles. It is a complex
question. You can't settle any of these questions off-hand. Every man
who has had much experience has learned that he needs a whole lot more.

Prof. Smith: Have you had any experience in fixing up a bed of scions
like that and putting it in cold storage?

The Chairman: Yes, but you must tell the cold storage people not to let
them get too dry. Tell them you want them in moist cold storage, and to
keep the temperature about 40.

A Member: We have found with walnuts that if you have the scions too
damp they won't keep very long. If you have them just moist enough to
hold them you can keep them all winter, maybe indefinitely.

The Chairman: If your cell is full of water the scion will work as hard
as an Irishman.

A Member: I find that we have to graft them above ground, in the North,
and if they are too moist when grafted they will dry up, but if kept dry
they will grow, because they will remain in good condition until the sap
comes up in the stock.

The Chairma