评论
打印
But I couldn't believe that this disaster was due only to insufficient sunlight. As a regularly successful gardener, I knew that sunlight was vital, but my corn looked well, malnourished.
我认为这不仅仅是阳光不足造成的。我在园艺方面一向还比较擅长，根据经验，我知道阳光是最关键的因素，但是我的玉米看起来很好，就是有点营养不良。
I read the back of the seed packet again. Plant in warm ground in a sunny area. The crumpled packet also said that the corn would be ready for harvest in eighty-two days. It further informed me that the seed company had a long tradition of good seeds. But it did not explain why my corn looked like it had been on a forty day fast.
我又看了一遍种子包装袋后面的说明：种在温暖向阳的地方。已被弄皱了的包装袋上还写着：可以在82天后收获玉米。它还告知我这家种子公司长久以来都生产好种子，但是包装袋上没说明为什么我的玉米看起来像是经历了40天的斋戒。
It turned out that my corn had indeed been on a fast. A forced fast. A fast caused by my ignorance and by my eagerness to plant and unwillingness to study and learn about my crops before I planted them. I asked a garden club I had just begun attending if they had any idea why my corn had been such a spectacular failure. The patron of the club smiled and asked me if I had used nitrogen.
事实证明，我的玉米确实是在禁食，但它是被迫禁食。是由于我的无知和急于种植造成的，是由于种植之前，我不愿意去学习和研究该如何种植这种庄稼造成的。我之前刚加入了一个菜园倶乐部，我向俱乐部咨询，问他们是否知道我种植的玉米为什么会如此失败。倶乐部的一位老会员笑着问我是否用过氮肥。
"Nitrogen?"
“氮肥？”
"Corn is basically a fruitful grass," he rumbled. "Grass absolutely needs nitrogen. You can get nitrogen pellets at the seed shop."
“玉米从本质上说是一种多产禾本科植物”，他用低沉的声音说，“这种植物一定要用氮肥，你可以去种子店买些氮肥。”
"Nitrogen?"
“氮肥？”
He nodded, taking a bite from a club member's home grown apple. "You've gotta have it. Otherwise, your corn won't come out."
他点点头，咬了一口由一名俱乐部会员带来的自家种的苹果，接着说道：“一定要施些氮肥。否则，你的玉米长不好的。”
