erable extent. Some of these species show most
remarkable differences in characteristics. The shagbark is unexcelled
for quality of kernel. The shellbark bears nuts as large as the largest
black walnut. The bitternut bears nuts with a thinner shell than any of
the finest southern pecans and with a larger proportion of kernel. What
we know about practical plant hybridization leads us to believe that we
can combine the good qualities of these various species of hickories.
Think of what it would mean to have hickories equal in quality of kernel
to the best shagbark, of the size of the largest black walnut with a
shell thinner than the thinnest shelled pecan we have even seen, and
with a larger proportion of kernel.

While the hickory is the nut which has given as the most trouble in
propagation and gives us the most trouble in transplanting and grows the
slowest, it is certainly difficult to find one which gives more promise
either in growing the fine hickories we now have or in breeding up
better ones. I am convinced that as soon as we can furnish the fine
hickories we now have in commercial quantities they will command prices
equal to those paid for the finest pecans.

* * * * *

THE PRESIDENT: I will call upon Mr. J. F. Jones, of Lancaster,
Pennsylvania, who has the subject of "Selecting and Handling Scions."

SELECTING AND HANDLING SCIONS

J. F. JONES, NUT SPECIALIST, LANCASTER, PENNSYLVANIA

In the selection of scions of nut trees for grafting the propagator
should keep in mind the fact that the wood selected must be full of
vitality and must be of solid, well matured growth, that will stand the
maximum amount of exposure and hardship after being grafted, as the
grafts and stocks of nut trees callous or heal very slowly in comparison
to fruit trees, and the scions must be of solid, well matured growth if
good results are to be obtained. These requirements usually go together
however and if we select scions of solid, well matured growth, we
usually get scions in which the tree has stored the maximum amount of
"starch" or vitality.

HOW TO JUDGE SCIONS

The experienced propagator of nut trees can quickly distinguish between
good and poor scions for grafting, but the beginner, not knowing the ear
marks of good scions, often fails to select the best scions for
grafting. The common mistake made by the beginner in the selection of
scions of nut trees, is in selecting the sma