186 ORCHARDS. 



may be injured during very cold winters. Some nurserymen 

 prefer to cut only a few weeks before setting and just before 

 the swelling of the buds, as they say the scion will in that 

 case more readily absorb moisture from the stock, which pro- 

 motes the union. Scions may be cut in October and Novem- 

 ber, and kept in a perfect state for one year. When scions 

 are cut in the fall or winter, the best mode of saving them is 

 to bury them from four to six inches deep in a light soil, 

 where the water Avill not stand on them. Sandy yellow soil 

 is best, or sand alone. The situation should be covered or 

 shsded, and they should be kept moist, but not wet. Saw- 

 dust will keep them very well, and as it is easily obtained 

 will be found very convenient. "Where there are many scions 

 and they will not be needed through the winter, they may be 

 placed in a box, which is to be only half or two-thirds full ; 

 cross pieces are fastened upon the inside in such a manner as 

 to prevent the scions from falling out Avhen inverted. The 

 box is then buried, upside down, in a place where Avater will 

 not comj in contact with the scions. In putting away grafts 

 we cannot be too careful to prevent their losing their iden- 

 tity. Tie securely in bundles, and with each tie up a stick 

 marked in such a manner as not to be obliterated. Some 

 take the precaution to cut away a portion of one or two of 

 the larger scions, in order to obtain flat surface on wliich nu- 

 merals are cut with a knife. A permanent record is of 

 course kept of the varieties indicated by these numbers. 



When boor-moss can be found, it is an excellent material 

 with which to pack the scions in a box. 



When scions are cut in the Winter or Spring, or even in 

 the Fall, they may be packed in a tight box or chest, first 

 putting in some damp moss or saw dust. It does not matter 

 how many are packed together, the more scions the better 

 they keep. Mould will not injure them. As the weather 

 becomes warm, moisten the saw dust or moss and the inside of 

 the box occasionally. Keep the top on tightly, and place 

 them in a damp, cool cellar. Too much moisture would be in- 

 jurious, as it induces premature starting of the buds or kills 

 the scions by saturation. Saw dust, a little moist, is consid- 



