Two Tomatoes
Identifier
F.2022-09-0245
Date Of Production
1954
Abstract
A short promotional film containing time-lapse photography for Swift & Company's commercial lawn fertilizer, Vigoro.
Description
This film displays two potted tomato plants growing side-by-side in soil that is described by Ott's narration as, "deficient in plant food elements." Ott indicates that the soil belonging to the plant on the left has been supplemented by the completely balanced plant food, Vigoro. Subsequent time-lapse photography documents significantly greater growth and appearance in the Vigoro-fed tomato plant compared to its neighbor on the right. The song, "Cascade," performed by the Royal Artillery Orchestra accompanies the time-lapse photography.
Ott regarded this film as clear evidence of the importance of variations between daytime and evening temperatures toward soil stimulation and plant growth. In Ott's autobiography, My Ivory Cellar: The Story of Time-Lapse Photography, he remarks that because approval for this film project was not granted until the hot summer had already commenced, "To my surprise, there was no noticeable difference in the growth between the two plants being photographed...This experiment was started over again several times, but it was not until fall when the weather and temperature in my greenhouse was considerably cooler that a noticeable difference between the fed and unfed plants was evident. Then the difference was so great that it was almost unbelievable."
Ott regarded this film as clear evidence of the importance of variations between daytime and evening temperatures toward soil stimulation and plant growth. In Ott's autobiography, My Ivory Cellar: The Story of Time-Lapse Photography, he remarks that because approval for this film project was not granted until the hot summer had already commenced, "To my surprise, there was no noticeable difference in the growth between the two plants being photographed...This experiment was started over again several times, but it was not until fall when the weather and temperature in my greenhouse was considerably cooler that a noticeable difference between the fed and unfed plants was evident. Then the difference was so great that it was almost unbelievable."
Run Time
4 min 16 sec
Format
16mm
Extent
160 feet
Color
Color
Sound
Silent
Reel/Tape Number
1/1
Has Been Digitized?
Yes
Language Of Materials
English
Element
Internegs
Genre
Form
Subject
Related Collections
Related Places
Sponsor/client
Main Credits
Ott, John Nash Jr. (is filmmaker)
John Ott Pictures, Inc. (is production company)
Participants And Performers
Ott, John Nash Jr. (is narrator)
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