19u9 



GLKANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 



20/ 



deadman's concrete runway leading down into the bee-cellar. 



Ordinarily this ranway is kept covered with a light roof made in two sections so as to be easily removed. 



A PNEUMATIC-TIRED HIVE-CART. 



BY G. A. DFADMAX. 



The cart here shown is especially adapted for 

 taking colonies to and from the cellar, although 

 it is very handy for many other purposes as well. 

 I have had it in use for two seasons, and I find it 

 very valuable; for with it I can carry the bees 

 from the cellar alone with a great saving of time, 

 and I am always less tired than I used to be when 

 carrying out the colonies in the ordinary way 

 with a helper. 



As to the construction of this cart, I will say 

 that it is simply a framework 5 feet long, clamp- 

 ed to parts of two old bicycles, as shown. This 

 framework is wide enough so that, when the 

 hives are placed on it, they will not project so as 

 to interfere with the hinged sides which fold up 

 to prevent the hives from sliding off. End pieces 

 are also hinged to the framework in the same 

 way. Both the sides and ends are held up by 

 means of hooks and staples. 



The floor of the framework — that is, the part 

 on which the hives rest — is made of two j^-inch 

 boards about 5 inches wide, padded on the top. 

 These can be easily removed should the cart be 

 needed for some other purpose. 



The forks of two old bicycles are firmly 

 clamped to the framework with ^s-inch bolts. 

 These forks of bicycle frames can be bought for 

 about the price of old iron, since it is only nec- 

 essary that they hold the wheel firmly. 



This construction is very simple and inexpen- 

 sive, especially if one has two bicycles, for then 

 it is not necessary to buy old front wheels for the 

 cart since those on the bicycle can be used, the 

 change being made in a minute or so. The sea- 

 son for bicycle-riding is usually about over when 

 the bees are placed in the cellar, and has not yet 

 begun when they are taken out in the spring; but 

 the change can be made so cjuickly that, in case 

 the cart is used during the summer, very little 

 time is needed to take the wheels from the by- 

 cycles and attach them to the cart. 



If quick detachable tires are used they can 

 be iiuickly repaired in case of a puncture. The 



wheels are, of course, ball bearing, and therefore 

 turn very easily. I can carry three hives at a 

 time with very little exertion. 



If the apiary is far from the cellar, a hive-cart 

 might be advantageously used, even if it could 

 not be taken into the cellar. As I keep fruit and 

 vegetables also, in one part of the cellar, I con- 

 structed a concrete runway leading down into the 

 cellar so that I can run the cart up or down. 

 This runway is easily built, and costs but little 

 more than ordinary steps. The roof or cover for 

 this runway is in two sections, for convenience 

 in handling, and is made of light material, cov- 

 ered with paroid roofing paper. The cellar is 

 about 4 feet below the ground, and the length of 

 the runway 18 feet. 



I have found my hive-cart also valuable when 

 unloading colonies at an out-apiary, when I do 

 not dare to drive a team close to it. 



With several out-apiaries there could be a 



deadman s hive-cart made of the front 



forks and wheels of two old 



bicycles. 



