Bee Research (1961)

Rothampsted, Hertfordshire. M/S of a female beekeeper squatting next to a beehive, she gets up and moves over to another hive. C/U of the beekeeper opening a jar of yellow powder and brushing it onto the hive. The beekeeper is a scientist at the Rothampsted Experimental Station researching the movements of bees. Extreme C/U of bees brushing against the powder as they leave the hive. Different coloured powders are used to assess the habits of different hives. Top shot of a vole and some cotton wool balls in a glass container. A scientist, Dr. John Free reaches in and takes a cotton wool ball. M/S of Dr. Free attaching the ball to string at the end of a long pole - a ball without the vole’s scent is also attached. Dr. F. walks to the hive. C/U of the pole poking the hive to provoke the bees to attack. M/S of Dr. F. examining the balls. C/U of Dr. F. counting the number of stings in the balls - there are more in the ball with the vole scent suggesting animal smells make bees sting. Dr. F.