102 NUT GROWING 



tion for keeping a lot of shaped grafts for several 

 hours until they are ready for insertion includes 

 another principle, the prevention of entrance of air 

 into tissues of the prepared grafts.* 



A cutting or so-called bud stick was formerly di- 

 vided into segments three or four inches in length 

 for grafting purposes as a rule. This long form of 

 scion was not likely to dry out before union with 

 the stock had taken place. Two or more buds were 

 preferred for the long scion so that if one bud did 

 not start another one might go into action. Paraffin 

 coating modifies this idea. One bud to the scion is 

 enough, provided that the bud has not been damaged. 

 Cuttings from choice kinds of nut trees are too valu- 

 able to be wasted and the one bud scion introduces 

 economy of material. The top end of a cutting is 

 usually crowded with buds. Internodes are so short 

 at that point that we may as well let the whole lot 

 of buds go along with one or two of the end scions. 

 Some nut tree grafters break off the largest top bud 

 on the theory that it will demand too much nourish- 

 ment from the stock before union has advanced far 

 enough to keep up the pace. This is not necessary 

 when paraffin coating is employed and we may watch 

 with delight the glorious bursting forth of a large 

 end bud with its whole handful of beautifully tinted 

 scales and leaves. Scions with the almost invisible 



* Just as the book is going to press the author has observed 

 that Beaver hickory scions, shaped and ready for insertion, 

 if placed in Knudson solution for two days or more and 

 not trimmed again will start their buds into activity within 

 three days after insertion but this is not desirable. 



