美國語文第三冊 第86期：印第安玉米（02）
The moisture and earthy matter, drawn through the roots, become sap.
玉米的根從土壤里吸取水分和養(yǎng)分，成為樹液，
This passes through the stalk, and enters the leaves.
經(jīng)由莖部傳輸?shù)饺~子。
There a great change takes place which results in the starting of the ears and the growth of the grain.
這為植物帶來巨大的變化，因此得以抽穗，最終長出顆粒。
The maize plant bears two kinds of flowers,—male and female.
玉米開的花有兩種——雄花和雌花。
The two are widely separated.
兩種花很不一樣，雄花呈穗狀；
The male flowers are on the tassel; the fine silk threads which surround the ear, and peep out from the end of the husks, are the female flowers.
而那種圍繞著包谷生長并在包皮的末端隱約露出的絲一樣的細(xì)線，就是雌花。
Each grain on the cob is the starting point for a thread of silk;
玉米穗軸上的每一個(gè)顆粒都是一束絲狀雌花的起點(diǎn)，
and, unless the thread receives some particle of the dust which falls from the tassel flowers, the kernel with which it is connected will not grow.
除非花束獲得來自于穗狀雄花的微粒，否則它所連接的內(nèi)核就無法成長。
The many uses of Indian corn and its products are worthy of note.
印第安玉米及其產(chǎn)品的廣泛用途值得詳細(xì)注解：
The green stalks and leaves make excellent fodder for cattle.
綠色的玉米莖和葉子是喂牛的好飼料。
The ripe grain is used all over the earth as food for horses, pigs, and poultry.
成熟的玉米粒在全世界都被廣泛用作飼料，喂養(yǎng)馬、豬、家禽等。
Nothing is better for fattening stock.
它還是最好的積肥用料。
Green corn, or "roasting ears," hulled corn and hominy, New England hasty pudding, and succotash are favorite dishes with many persons.
嫩玉米、烤或煮熟的玉米、去皮玉米、玉米粥、新英格蘭玉米粉糊或是豆煮玉米是許多人們的最愛。
Then there are parched corn and pop corn—the delight of long winter evenings.
還有烘烤玉米片和爆米花，在漫漫冬夜里為人們帶來歡樂。
Corn starch is an important article of commerce.
玉米淀粉是一種重要的商品。
Sirup and sugar are made from the juice of the stalk, and oil and alcohol from the ripened grain.
玉米莖的汁液是提煉糖和糖漿的原料。成熟的玉米粒是油和酒精的來源。
Corn husks are largely used for filling mattresses, and are braided into mats, baskets, and other useful articles.
玉米的包皮用途也很廣泛，它可以是床墊的填充物，或者經(jīng)過編織成為各種墊子、籃子和其他用品。
Thus it will be seen how varied are the uses of Indian corn.
由此可見，印第安玉米全身都是寶。
And besides being so useful, the plant is very beautiful.
它不但用途多樣，還是一種美麗的植物。
The sight of a large cornfield in the latter part of summer,
盛夏時(shí)節(jié)，一望無際的玉米地，
with all its green banners waving and its tasseled plumes nodding, is one to admire, and not to be forgotten.
綠色的葉子像旗幟一樣迎風(fēng)飛舞，流蘇瓔珞般的包谷隨風(fēng)點(diǎn)頭，這是多么賞心悅目而又令人難忘的景色！
