132 THE RAISIN INDUSTRY. 



various sizes, but should never be over four feet wide, while three feet 

 is even better, and their length should not exceed six feet. They are 

 made to turn readily anywhere by having the front wheels or wheel 

 movable, independently of the balance of the truck. By the aid of 

 these trucks the grower can use horse labor in distributing his boxes 

 and travs in the vineyard, even where the vines are planted so close 

 that ordinary wagons cannot pass. The vineyard truck is now used 

 in all Fresno vineyards, and is considered almost indispensable. The 

 first truck ever made for this purpose was designed and invented by 

 J. T. Goodman of Fresno. 



Shears. These should be of the very best make of soft steel, and 

 furnished with double springs. So far no good pruning shears are 

 manufactured in this country, the best make coming from Switzerland, 

 and retailed here at $3.00 per pair. It pa3^s any grower to buy the 

 best shears, as inferior ones not only last but a short time, but also do 

 poor and slow work, and in the long run cost more than the best and 

 most expensive make. With a good pair a pruner can in a day cut 

 fifty per cent more than with a poor pair, and from ten to twenty-five 

 per cent more than with an ordinary pair. It therefore can be readily 

 seen how the extra price can be saved in the first day or two. Such 

 fine shears should be handled and cared for very much like a razor. 

 They should never be ground on a revolving stone, but only honed 

 with oil on a fine hone. When the season is over they should be oiled, 

 looked over and laid away. Large shears with wooden handles are 

 not needed for Muscat vines. The best size shear is the medium size, 

 which can be used with one hand. 



