vocabulary：
graft1: 嫁接；bud：接芽；scion2：接穗；root stock：砧木
cleft3：裂开的；join：结合;seedless fruit：无籽果实
We often think of agriculture as planting seeds and harvesting crops. But many crops do not come from seeds. Many kinds of trees and plants are grown from pieces cut from existing trees and plants. This is called grafting4.
我们常常认为农业就是播种和收割作物。但是许多作物并不来自于种子。许多种树木和植物的生长来自于从现有的树木和植物中切割下来的碎片。这就是所谓的嫁接。
Farmers cut branches or young growths, called buds, from one plant and place them on a related kind of plant. The branch or bud that is grafted5 is called a scion . The plant that accepts the graft is called the root stock.
农民切下来的枝条或嫩枝，就是所谓的接芽，从一种植物中切之并将其接到一相关种的植物上。该被嫁接的枝条或芽就是所谓的接穗 。接受嫁接的植物就被称作砧木。
Over time, the parts from the two plants grow together. The grafted plant begins to produce the leaves and fruit of the scion, not the root stock.
随着时间的推移，这两种植物的部分就会长在一起。嫁接植物产生的叶子和果实来自于接穗，而不是砧木。
A graft can be cut in several ways. A cleft graft, for example, requires a scion with several buds on it. The bottom of the scion is cut in the shape of the letter V. A place is cut in the root stock to accept the scion.
The scion is then securely placed into the cut on the root stock. Material called a growth medium is put on the joint6 to keep it wet and help the growth.
嫁接有几种不同的切割方式。例如劈接，一个接穗上需要带几个芽。接穗末端被切成"V"字形。在砧木上也要切出一个位置来接接穗。然后将接穗小心的放入砧木上的切口。在接口处放上嫁接夹以便保湿并帮助其生长。
Grafting can join scions7 with desirable qualities to root stock that is strong and resists disease and insects. Smaller trees can be grafted with older scions. Grafting can reduce the need to use pesticides8 on crops. Grafting stronger plants cost less than using chemicals. Also, poisons can be dangerous to people and the environment.
嫁接能够将理想质量的接穗嫁接到强有力抗病虫害的砧木上。小树能用老树的接穗嫁接。嫁接可以减少植物对于农药的使用量。强壮的嫁接植物需用的成本少于使用农药的植物。此外，农药会危害人和环境。
Agriculture could not exist as we know it without grafting. Many fruits and nuts have been improved through this method. Some common fruit trees such as sweet cherries have to be grafted.
没有嫁接的话，农业将难以存在。许多果实及坚果类植物都通过这一方法被改良。一些普通的果树例如甜樱桃必须要嫁接。
Bing cherries, for example, are one of the most popular kinds of cherries. But a Bing cherry tree is not grown from seed. Branches that produce Bing cherries must be grafted onto root stock. All sweet cherries on the market are grown this way.
例如冰樱桃，是最受欢迎的樱桃中的一种。但是冰樱桃树不能靠种子繁殖。产生冰樱桃的枝条必须被嫁接到砧木上。所有在市场上的甜樱桃都用此方法繁殖。
And then there are seedless fruits like navel oranges and seedless watermelons. Have you ever wondered how farmers grow them? The answer is: through grafting.
还有一种无籽果实像脐橙和无籽西瓜。你知道农民们怎么种植他们吗？答案就是: 通过嫁接。
The grapefruit tree is another plant that depends on grafting to reproduce. Grapes, apples, pears and also flowers can be improved through grafting. In an age of high-technology agriculture, grafting is a low-technology method that remains9 extremely important.
柚子树是另一种依靠嫁接进行再生繁殖的植物。葡萄，苹果，梨以及一些花卉植物都能通过嫁接而得以改良。在如今的高科技农业时代，嫁接仍被认为是一种极其重要的低端技术方法。
作者:smaz36老师
教师id:14540
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