In earlier papers I described the use of sodium sulfate crystals
(Glauber's salt) for controlling the humidity in scion storage. This
season I have adapted the practice to the shipping of fresh walnut bud
sticks. A sack of Glauber's salt in the bottom of the mailing tube keeps
the cuttings moist, and if, in addition, the container is kept in a
refrigerator when not actually in transit, the buds have been kept in
condition for use up to twenty-five days.
A low temperature is essential in storage of any scions. Variations in
this factor may have been the cause of some of the objections which have
been raised to the practice of coating scions with wax when they go into
storage. If wax is to be applied over a scion, it can be done more
uniformly and in a thinner coating by immersion of the scion in melted
wax. The scion so coated seems to be in better condition than an
uncoated scion when it comes out of storage provided the storage
temperature has been low. However, if the wood has not been kept dormant
by low temperature, gases are evolved which form blisters under the wax
and injure the scion. It is quite probable that a wax coating then
aggravates this damage.