FEBRUARY 15, 1916 



A COLLAPSIBLE SINGLE - COLONY WINTER CASE 



163 



BY J. H. FISBECK 



. The illustration shows a plan of a winter 

 case which is collapsible, quickly applied, 

 can be made so as to fit difterent-sized 

 hives, and, when applied, one can examine 

 frames of bees by only removing the cush- 

 ion. The case may be removed without tak- 

 ing' it apart, is very neat, and absolutely 

 water-proof. While the plans specify %- 

 inch lumber and 2 x 2i'2-inch space for side 

 packing, which is sufficient here, these 

 measurements can be changed to suit cli- 

 mate. 



The special features that characterize the 

 case are, the rapidity in which it can be 

 put on and removed from the hive, and the 



C^. CASE fD / CLOSED. 



and clean method of removing the side 

 packing in the spring, especially for one 

 having bees on a nice lawn. It is this also 

 that makes a nice fit to a hive on uneven 

 ground, and the possibility of applying it 

 to an odd-sized hive, i. e., driving a long 

 thin finishing-nail with one light tap thru 

 the boles in the case into the hive. Have 

 the nails long enough so as to be able to 

 adjust the ease to fit the slats after the 

 nails are driven in. Next place these re- 

 movable slats on the nails, which should 

 be level. Pour in shavings till they reach 

 the top of the hive. Shavings above the 

 hive should be in the form of a cushion to 



small amount of room it takes to store 

 away in summer. The case only needs to 

 be unfolded to be in readiness for the hive; 

 but it is advisable to use hinges with loose 

 pins, especially the last pair jjut on, as it 

 is much easier to work when making it. 

 The oilcloth at the corners keeps the pack- 

 ing dry, and prevents the hinges from rust- 

 ing. The inside of the case is free from 

 cleats, etc., making it a simple matter to 

 pour in shavings and also to remove them 

 from below. 



Another valuable feature is the simple 



permit examination of the bees in the 

 sirring. One can have the top of the cush- 

 ion open if he desires to empty them of 

 shavings in the spring. To remove shav- 

 ings from the sides of the hive, jerk out the 

 nails and bottom slat, and shavings will fall 

 on a cloth on the ground. 



I tack tar paper over the boards on the 

 outside, between the legs or cleats, with tins 

 and tacks. The cover is made of %-ineh 

 boards cleated around the edge and covered 

 with a sheet of rubberoid. 



St. LouLs, Mo. 



