is important, I believe.

_Scions_

The condition of the scion is the most important element for success in
top-working hickory trees. The technique of grafting has been so
simplified as to make it fairly easy, and native stocks are usually
vigorous. But unless the scions have full vitality success will be
limited. They should be plump and not pithy. A limited success is
possible with scions of feeble growth, or those subjected to
devitalising influences in keeping or handling, but the largest success
will be had with well grown scions, cut from vigorous trees or grafts,
whose buds are completely dormant, and have a fresh, green appearance on
cutting. When the cambium layer shows a yellowish or brownish tint the
scions are useless. Slender wood may make good scions but is more
difficult to keep in good condition. Heavy wood from vigorous, young,
grafted trees, or from cut back trees, makes the best scions and is the
easiest to keep. Wood more than 1 year old and as large as one can
handle makes good scions. Dr. Morris, with the use of the plane, has
succeeded with astonishingly large scions and even branches. Sometimes
buds are absent from these large scions or are very inconspicuous. They
may be searched for with a lens.

Preferably scions should be cut when entirely dormant. Buds that show
signs of breaking should be removed. Scions cut after growth starts may
be used with success if there are dormant buds. This "immediate
grafting," as Dr. Morris calls it has not been fully studied. It may be
of great value. It is quite successful with the apple and the pear. It
appears to depend chiefly on the presence of dormant buds of vitality.

The later in the season the dormant scions are cut the shorter the time
they have to be kept, though probably this is not of importance if the
method of keeping is right.

_Keeping Scions_

The larger the scion the easier it is to keep it. Dr. Morris cuts whole
branches and keeps them in the sawdust of his icehouse. I have cut them
two inches in diameter and kept them lying uncovered on the barn cellar
floor into the second summer looking fresh and green. The smaller the
scion the more susceptible it is to moisture environment. Scions must be
kept where it is neither too moist nor too dry. Usually the mistake is
made of keeping them too moist. The buds may start if the scions are too
moist even when the temperature is quite low. This happened for me when
I stored scions for a w