Scion is the portion of the branch selected for insertion in the stock, and destined to become the future plant. The following directions, given by Mr. Loudon, embrace all the information generally applicable to the subject. All particular directions will be found under the title of the plant to be grafted from :-

" Scions are generally the shoots of last summer's growth, from the outside lateral branches of healthy trees, because in them the shoots are not so robust and apt to run to wood as in the centre and top of the tree, nor so weak as those which are at its base, and under the shade and drip of the rest. An exception to this rule is to be found in the case of debilitated trees, where the scions should be taken from the strongest shoots. The middle part of each shoot makes always the best scion; but long shoots, and especially where the scion is of a rare variety, may be cut into several scions of four or six inches in length, reserving not fewer than two nor more than five eyes to form the future head of the tree.

"Scions should be cut several weeks before the season for grafting arrives; the reason is that grafting may most successfully be performed by allowing the stock to have some advantage over the graft in forwardness of vegetation. It is desirable that the sap of the stock should be in brisk motion at the time of grafting; but by this time the buds of the scion, if left on the parent tree, would be equally advanced ; whereas, the scions being gathered early, the buds are kept back, and ready only to swell out when placed on the stock. Scions of pears, plums, and cherries are collected in the end of January or beginning of February. They are kept at full length, sunk in dry earth, and out of the reach of frost, till wanted, which is sometimes from the middle of February to the middle of March.

Scions of apples are collected any time in February, and put on from the middle to the end of March. The Scions are used as gathered." - Enc. Gard.

It is quite true that the scion "over-rideth the stock;" - a peach scion produces its peculiar foliage, fruit, etc, though grafted upon a plum stock; yet the stock influences the habits and produce of the scion. Thus an apricot is said to have been worked on a greengage plum, and a quince upon the autumn hergamot pear; the apricot became as juicy as the green-gage, and far more delicate; the quince was much more tender, and Jess gritty. See Stocks and Grafting.