HIVES FOR BEE-KEEPERS. 109 
simply cutting out its comb with care, and placing its 
top edge upon the bottom rail. Temporarily securing 
against displacement, as in “ Transferring ” (which 
see), and returning to the bees to complete the work, 
are all that is needed. Should the comb not be heavy 
with honey above, its bottom edge may be made true, 
and it may be replaced in its normal position, if desired; 
but inversion is generally to be preferred. Second ; It 
has been stated that inversion is a certain means of 
preventing swarming, because it destroys the larvae 
in the queen cells. It is sufficient, at present,- to 
remark that this is only partially true, and that 
dependence upon mere inversion for swarm-preven- 
tion is delusive. 
The objection that inverting old and dirty combs 
immediately beneath sections leads to staining of the 
cOmb-honey — of which I have examples in my posses- 
sion, through the kindness of Mr. Corneil — may be 
reserved until treating of “ Sections. 
A hive much resembling, in general arrangement, 
the one used by Mr. W. Raitt, and with which he 
has been long so successful, has been designed by 
Mr. John Howard, and called by him the Holme 
Wood,” in which are shown so much ingenuity and 
apicultural knowledge that this chapter, though al- 
ready lengthy, could not be well closed without 
introducing it. Mr. Howard has, upon the old stori- 
fying system, engrafted modern, and some original, 
contrivances, which make his hive an excellent one 
for the honey-producer. He does not covet inversion 
for his brood-boxes, while it may be applied or not 
to the section-crates, as the bee-keeper may desire. 
