Gardening 園藝

　　One of the quiet joys of life in the southern part of Ontario, Canada, is gardening(1.園藝,園藝學(xué)). Whether pursued as a hobby or solely to improve the esthetic(1.有關(guān)美的, 美學(xué)的) value of one's home, the pleasure derived(1.起源,由來(lái))(1.【醫(yī)】衍生的)(2.衍生,導(dǎo)出) is only exceed(1.超過(guò); 超越)ed by the therapeutic(1.治療(學(xué))的;療法的)(2.對(duì)身心健康有益的;有助于放松精神的) benefit. The exercise involved in working in a garden is helpful in keeping people in good physical condition.

　　It has become a ritual(1.(宗教等的)儀式)(2.例行公事, 老規(guī)矩) for homeowners to spend late winter weekends browsing(1.瀏覽) through seed(1.播種)(1.結(jié)籽)(4.起源;起因;萌芽;開(kāi)端) catalogues(2.記載，登記(某人、某事等的詳情))(1.目錄, 一覽表) while sitting on their couch(1.長(zhǎng)沙發(fā)椅，睡椅)(2.(病人受檢查時(shí)躺的)長(zhǎng)榻). They make lists of items they wish to purchase and often make notation(1.記號(hào), 標(biāo)記法;(數(shù)學(xué)、科學(xué)和音樂(lè)中的)符號(hào)，譜號(hào))s right on the catalogue as they make decisions about this year's garden.

　　If they order early, there is usually a discount coupon(1.配給券;(購(gòu)物)票證;(購(gòu)物)優(yōu)惠券), allowing a percentage of the cost to be deduct(1.扣除, 減去)ed from the price. Often the coupon needs to be detached from the catalogue and mailed to the company along with the order. This is an extra bonus for the consumer. The investment cost required is nominal(2.(金額)很少的; 象征性的)(1.名義上的, 有名無(wú)實(shí)的) when the amount of pleasure generated is considered. The seed companies will usually warrant(1.授權(quán)證; 許可證)(2.(做某事的)正當(dāng)理由，依據(jù))(1.使有必要;使正當(dāng);使恰當(dāng))(2.保證, 擔(dān)保) the plants, and often a refund(1.歸還, 償還額, 退款) is offered if the plants do not thrive(1.興盛; 興隆). The shipment(1.船運(yùn), 水運(yùn), 運(yùn)輸, 運(yùn)送, 裝運(yùn))(2.(從海路、陸路或空運(yùn)的)一批貨物; 運(yùn)輸?shù)呢浳? from the seed company's warehouse(1.倉(cāng)庫(kù), 貨棧) is awaited with eager anticipation. Its appearance means that spring will soon arrive.

　　The glossy (1.光潔的;光滑的;光彩奪目的;有光澤的)pages of the catalogues provide a preview(1.預(yù)展, 試映, 預(yù)演)(1.預(yù)映, 預(yù)演, 預(yù)習(xí)) of the visual delight(1.快樂(lè), 高興)s that can be grown. Pictures show an array of flowers that dazzle(1.使目眩)(1.耀眼;令人贊嘆的東西) the eye. There are monochromatic (1.單色的,單頻的)displays as well as others that are a fusion(1.熔合，熔接，融合)(2.核聚變，熱核反應(yīng))(3.聯(lián)合, 合并) of the complete spectrum(1.光譜)(2.聲譜;波譜;頻譜)(3.范圍, 系列) of the rainbow's colors. Also included in the publication are pictures and descriptions of vegetables, shrub(1.灌木)s, and trees.

　　Avid (1.渴望地,熱心地)(1.渴望的,急切的,貪婪的)gardeners subscribe(1.訂閱，訂購(gòu)(報(bào)刊等))(3. 認(rèn)購(gòu)(股份))(1.申請(qǐng);預(yù)訂;報(bào)名)(1.定期交納(會(huì)員費(fèi));定期(向慈善機(jī)構(gòu))捐款;定期捐助) to magazines that specialize in articles and ads about this enjoyable pastime and people literally read each issue from cover to cover.

　　Descriptions of plants include implicit(1.不言明[含蓄]的)(2.無(wú)疑問(wèn)的, 絕對(duì)的)(3.成為一部份的;內(nèi)含的) instructions on whether to plant them in sun or shade. Specification (3.指明，明確說(shuō)明，具體陳述，詳述)as to the amount of irrigation(1.灌溉,沖洗) required is also stated. Elaborate(1.詳細(xì)制定)(1.詳盡說(shuō)明)(1.復(fù)雜的; 精心制作的) irrigation systems are sometimes instal(2.安頓, 安置)(3.使…正式就職)led or a trench(1.深溝, 地溝) for improving the water flow is used. Controls are needed on irrigation systems because if the ground becomes too saturate(1.浸濕, 浸透)(2.使…大量吸收或充滿某物)d the soil in the garden will be too muddy to allow anyone to work in it until it dries out. If there is too much water constantly, the garden will become a swamp (1.沼澤(地))(2.使困窘; 忙得不可開(kāi)交)(1.淹沒(méi); 沉沒(méi))and impossible to cultivate(4.種植;栽培;培育)(1.耕;耕作)(3.建立(友誼);結(jié)交(朋友);獲得(支持)). (Many people like to preserve the natural habitat of birds and wildlife in a marsh(1.沼澤, 濕地). These areas are usually protected by the government and although important to our environment, are not considered gardens.)

　　Geographic(1.地理學(xué)的;地理的) location is important for plants. Certain plants are only suitable for propagation(1.繁殖;增殖)(2.宣傳;波及)(3.遺傳) close to the equator(1.赤道). Others need to be several degrees of latitude(1.緯度)(3.自由, 自由范圍) away from the equator. Longitude(1.經(jīng)度,經(jīng)線) is also a factor and most companies clearly state the conditions that will provide the optimum(1.最適宜的; 最有利的, 最佳的) chances for the plants survival. Canadians grow tulip(1.郁金香)s imported from Holland and they do well in the Southern Ontario climate.

　　Because it is late spring before plants can survive outdoors in Southern Ontario, it is common for people to start their plants indoors. Seeds are planted in small containers and continue to grow indoors until the appropriate size is achieved. Sometimes ultraviolet (1.(光)紫外的，紫外線的，利用紫外線的)light is used to encourage plant growth. When the mercury rises and the danger of tfros is past, the plants are then transplanted to the garden or to a flowerbed.

　　Plants are nourish(1.撫養(yǎng);滋養(yǎng);養(yǎng)育)ed from the soil, but to provide optimum food, fertilizer (1.肥料, 化肥)can be applied to encourage vigorous(2.精力充沛的) growth. Sometimes fertilizer is dilute(1.稀釋, 沖淡)(1.稀釋的, 沖淡的)(1.削弱，使降低效果)d with water while other kinds are disperse(1.(使)分散，散開(kāi);疏散;驅(qū)散)(2.散布;散發(fā);傳播)d with a spreader that fling(1.(尤指生氣地)扔，擲，拋，丟)s the fertilizer granule(1.小顆粒;小硬粒;顆粒狀物;微粒;細(xì)粒)s in a small radius(1.半徑(距離)) around the plants. The water soluble(1.可溶的, 易溶解的)(2.可以解決的, 可以解釋的) fertilizer will then be absorbed into the soil the next time it rains. Just as people need mineral(1.礦物; 礦石; 礦物質(zhì))(1.礦物的,似礦物的)(2.汽水)s, such as calcium(1.〈化〉鈣) and zinc(1.〈化〉鋅), to be healthy, plants also need minerals but phosphorous(1.磷的) and nitrogen(1.〈化〉氮) are better food for them.

　　Some gardeners plan their garden with meticulous (1.極仔細(xì)的; 一絲不茍的)(2.小心翼翼的; 細(xì)心的 (~in sth/ doing sth|~about sth/ in doing sth))attention to detail. They choose colors that will complement(2.需要的或允許的數(shù)額, 足數(shù), 足額)(4.補(bǔ)充物;補(bǔ)足物) each other and design their garden as if they were painting on a canvas(1.帆布)(2.油畫(huà)(布)). Others are more spontaneous(1.自發(fā)的, 無(wú)意識(shí)的,非籌劃安排) and simply visit a nursery and purchase plants that appeal to them. Often gardeners have a trademark plant that is their specialty(1.專業(yè);專長(zhǎng))(2.特制品,特產(chǎn),名產(chǎn))(1.特色的). Perhaps they enjoy the velvet(1.絲絨, 天鵝絨) texture(2.口感)(1.手感, 質(zhì)感, 質(zhì)地) of the leaves, or maybe the flower's color attracts them.

　　The varieties of gardens are endless. Terrace gardening has become popular. With a herbal(1.藥草的) garden, cooks enjoy being able to use fresh herbs from their garden to add zest to their favorite dishes. They simply visit their garden and clip a few pieces of the herb they wish to use.

　　Every garden is as individual (6.個(gè)人的;個(gè)體的)as its owner. Gardens come in all shapes and sizes. Some are in the shape of a rectangle(1.〈數(shù)〉長(zhǎng)方形, 矩形), while others are circular or irregular(4.不規(guī)則變化的) in shape. Some gardeners like the appearance of an asymmeticral(1.【醫(yī)】asymmetrical 不對(duì)稱的,unsymmetrical 不對(duì)稱的) shape while others work to achieve symmetry(1.對(duì)稱(性); 勻稱, 整齊)(2.相似;相仿;相等) in their gardens. For vegetable gardens, the most popular shape is rectangular and vegetables are usually planted in a linear(3.直線的;線狀的) fashion. This method makes it easier to cultivate between the row(1.一排, 一行)s of plants. You could mistake some gardens for a meadow(1.草地, 牧場(chǎng); (河邊的)低洼地) when the gardener chooses to include only wildflowers as a choice of vegetation. Including a pond in a garden is popular too.

　　Entrepreneur(1.〈法〉 創(chuàng)業(yè)者，企業(yè)家(尤指涉及財(cái)務(wù)風(fēng)險(xiǎn)的))(2.主辦人)s are always looking for innovations and gadget(1.小機(jī)械, 小器具,小裝置)s that will attract the attention of devoted gardeners and induce them to spend their money. It has become a huge industry in the last few years, as the baby boomers reach retirement age and have more time to pursue hobbies such as gardening. There are new products patented every year to tempt(1.引誘或慫恿(某人)干不正當(dāng)?shù)氖? the gardener.

　　It is possible to buy a kit that contains a complete set of tools needed by the home gardener. Unfortunately, often the quality is poor and the product is a fraud(1.欺詐, 欺騙行為)(2.騙子)(3.偽劣品;冒牌貨). Instead of having something good to work with, the purchase turns out to be junk.

　　If you want to flatter(1.向…奉承; 阿諛) a gardener, and boost(3.促進(jìn), 激勵(lì)) their ego(1.自我; 自尊; 自負(fù)) at the same time, summon (1.傳喚; 召集)(4.鼓起(勇氣)，振作(精神))(3.召喚)up the courage to simply ask if you can swap(1.交換(東西)) plants. Of course, it will give them a thrill if you also compliment(1.表?yè)P(yáng); 恭維; 稱贊; 欽佩)(1.贊美(話), 恭維(話))(3.問(wèn)候;致意;祝賀) them on the hardiness (1.耐久力,頑強(qiáng))of their plants as compared to yours. They might even try to console (1.安慰, 慰問(wèn))(1.(機(jī)器、電子設(shè)備等的)控制臺(tái)，操縱臺(tái)，儀表板)you on your lack of competence(1.能力, 技能) as a gardener because your plants are not as sturdy(1.強(qiáng)壯的,健壯的,堅(jiān)固的, 結(jié)實(shí)的)(2.堅(jiān)定的;堅(jiān)決的;頑強(qiáng)的;不退讓的) as their plants.

　　Irrespective(1.不顧的;不問(wèn)...的;與...無(wú)關(guān)的) of the competence(1.能力, 技能) of the gardener, anyone who augments the number of plants grown is helping to conserve our planet by avert(2.轉(zhuǎn)移)(1.防止, 避免)ing erosion(1.腐蝕, 侵蝕; 磨損). This pays great dividend(1.紅利, 股息)(2.被除數(shù))s for everyone as it also serves to protect the ozone(2.清新空氣, 海邊的清新空氣) layer.

　　Some people erect barricade(1.路障, 障礙物)(1.設(shè)路障于; 以障礙物阻塞)s to keep small animals from attacking the plants. Squirrels(1. Sciuridae; squirrels松鼠科) love to dig up flower bulb(1.球莖)(2.電燈泡)s. They find them a tasty treat(1.款待, 招待;(東道主提供的)款待;請(qǐng)客;宴請(qǐng)).

　　It is common to see ceramic (1.陶器的, 與陶器有關(guān)的)(1.陶瓷制品;陶瓷器)fixture(1.(房屋等的)固定裝置,如(浴盆、抽水馬桶))(2.固定在某位置的人或物)(3.(定期定點(diǎn)舉行的)體育活動(dòng)，體育節(jié))s or figurines in a garden. Even the untrained eye can tell that the imitations are a fake(2.贗品)(1.假的, 冒充的)(1.偽造, 篡改, 對(duì)…做手腳), yet properly placed, they add to the intrinsic (1.固有的, 內(nèi)在的, 本質(zhì)的,本身的)beauty. A rain gauge(1.計(jì)量, 度量), attached by a bracket to a fence, is a common sight and is used to enable the gardener to diagnose (1.診斷(疾病);判斷(問(wèn)題的原因))the moisture level of the soil around the plants and determine if they need more water. If nature does not provide enough rain, then the gardener will use a plastic or rubber (1.(合成)橡膠)hose (1.連褲襪, 長(zhǎng)統(tǒng)襪, 短統(tǒng)襪)(2.(滅火、澆花等用的)橡皮管，塑料管，水龍帶)to provide more irrigation. With a twist of a knob(2.(收音機(jī)等的)旋鈕)(4.疙瘩;節(jié)), or by moving a lever(1.〈物〉杠桿)(1.(用杠桿)撬動(dòng)), the thirst of the plants for moisture can be quenched(2.解(渴));止(渴))(1.(用水)撲滅(火焰等);熄滅)(3.終止(某事物)).

　　What greater pleasure, than to work in your garden and as you clip (7.剪短;剪下)the overgrown plants back to size or prune (1.修剪(樹(shù)木等))branches of fruit trees, hear the buzz (1.嗡嗡聲, 亂哄哄的說(shuō)話聲)of bees? You know that they are enjoying your garden as they extract (2.提取, 榨出, 提煉)(3.索取，設(shè)法得到(不愿提供的信息、錢財(cái)?shù)?)the pollen (1.花粉)from the blooms. You relish (1.滋味, 美味; 樂(lè)趣)(1.欣賞, 享受, 愛(ài)好)the feeling that you are one with nature. The hum (1.嗡嗡聲)of insects as they share the garden is more pleasurable than music from a stereo (2.立體聲)(1.立體聲音響器材)or a symphony (1.交響樂(lè), 交響曲)to a devoted gardener. In addition, the scent (1.氣味, 香味)of the flowers is an integral (3.完整的;完備的)(2.作為組成部份的)part of the joy of spending time working in a garden.

　　The irony (1.反語(yǔ),反話, 冷嘲)of the situation is that nature sometimes conspire(1.密謀, 搞陰謀)(2.(事件等)巧合, 共同導(dǎo)致)s against the gardener, and a hailstorm (1.雹暴)can riddle (1.謎(語(yǔ)))beautiful plants, shredding (1.椽底板條;擊碎)their leaves in minutes. Hurricanes (1.颶風(fēng), (尤指西印度群島的)旋風(fēng))can uproot even the largest trees although this is an event that seldom occurs in Southern Ontario. Tornadoes are more likely in this area. Parasite(1.寄生生物;寄生蟲(chóng);寄生植物)s can attack plants and threaten their survival. Any number of things can become a plague(1.瘟疫)(2.災(zāi)害;折磨). It is often difficult to discern (1.看見(jiàn))(3.覺(jué)察出;識(shí)別;了解)exactly what it is that is destroying the precious plants. Any number of complications (1.使更復(fù)雜化(或更困難)的事物)can shatter (1.砸碎, 粉碎)the gardener's dream of surpassing (1.無(wú)比的, 非凡的, 卓越的, 超群的)last year's accomplishment(1.完成，實(shí)現(xiàn)). An authentic (1.真的, 真正的)gardener will not brood about the disappointment for long. Even as the disaster is occurring, you might overhear (1.偶然聽(tīng)到)the gardener murmur (1.小聲說(shuō))“There's always next year.”