ller growth. The smaller
growth is usually more pithy and lacking in vitality and gives poor
results in grafting. Poor scions are usually characterized by pithy wood
and a light colored, thin bark. The buds are usually farther apart than
they are on good scion wood, though this is not always true, as good
scions sometimes have the buds set well apart, except near the
terminals. The distinguishing marks of good scions are solid, well
matured growth, and a thick, dark colored bark. The buds are also larger
and usually set closer together.

WHEN TO CUT SCIONS

Scions must be cut while the tree is still dormant and, in the case of
trees that the wounds bleed when the tree is cut, as do the English and
Japan walnuts, under certain conditions, we must guard against cutting
scions soon after severe freezing weather and before the tree has fully
recuperated. This semi-sappy condition of the trees following low
temperatures that freeze the wood, seems to be a provision of nature to
restore the moisture or sap lost from evaporation, and although more
noticeable in some species of trees, notably the English walnut, this
condition undoubtedly exists in other species of trees to a greater or
less extent and we always try to avoid cutting scions of any kind soon
after hard, freezing weather. I have found scions of the English and
Japan walnuts, cut from trees in this condition, to be practically
worthless for propagation, although the scions may have been cut in late
winter, long before the sap gets up in the tree, naturally.

HANDLING AND KEEPING SCIONS

Scions of nut trees for grafting should be handled carefully to avoid
rubbing off the buds, although this is not so important with nut trees
as with fruit trees, for the reason that the more important nut trees
such as the various walnuts, pecan and hickories have compound buds and
if the larger buds should be destroyed the secondary buds may be counted
upon to grow. The scions should be tied in bunches of a convenient size
to handle and, after being well tied and carefully labeled, should be
packed in paper lined boxes that will prevent evaporation of moisture in
the parking material. Any material that will absorb and hold moisture
and that will not heat when bulked, will answer the purpose for packing
scions, but we have found sphagnum moss to be the best material for this
purpose. This material can be obtained from the local florists or
dealers in cut flowers usually. Sph