【轻松英文阅读】室内农场

 Are you interested in gardening but you just don’t have the time or space? Then a new product from the Japanese company, U-ing, may be the perfect solution for you. They call it the ‘green farm’ and it is flying off the shelves in Japan now.

 

green farm 2

 

The smallest green farm module¹, the ‘Green Farm Cube,’ measures only 23 x 23 x 26 centimeters; that’s even smaller than a toaster. Essentially², it is a tiny automated³ green house. The larger module, the ‘green farm’ has the following dimensions: 54 x 26 x 30 centimeters. The modules⁴ can be put almost anywhere in the home where there is a power supply. They can even be stacked on top of each other to save more space.

 

green farm 3

 

The modules provide everything a plant needs to grow. LEDs provide light and imitate the cycle of the sun. Users don’t have to trouble with watering either, as the units automatically control water levels. In fact, you can fill up the tank and the unit will take care of the watering for up to one month. The modules also include an air pump to aerate⁵ the units to maintain the moisture balance and temperature. Perhaps one of the best points is you don’t have to use pesticides⁶. The units are well sealed, so they are protected from insects or dust getting in. That is a real bonus for those of us who prefer organically grown vegetables. If you have ever done any gardening you know how troublesome battling insects can be.

 

According to the company’s website, the units are energy efficient. It will cost you about ￥6 a day to run a Green Farm Cube, the smallest model, and ￥10 a day for the larger Green Farm module.

 

You can order directly through the company’s site or they are available through other online retailers⁷ like Amazon. The Green Farm Cube costs a little over ￥9,000. Bear in mind that you will have to buy additional supplies such as seeds, nutrients⁸, etc.

1 module   

n.组件，模块，模件；(航天器的)舱

参考例句：

• The centre module displays traffic guidance information.中央模块显示交通引导信息。
• Two large tanks in the service module held liquid oxygen.服务舱的两个大气瓶中装有液态氧。

2 essentially   

adv.本质上，实质上，基本上

参考例句：

• Really great men are essentially modest.真正的伟人大都很谦虚。
• She is an essentially selfish person.她本质上是个自私自利的人。

3 automated   

a.自动化的

参考例句：

• The entire manufacturing process has been automated. 整个生产过程已自动化。
• Automated Highway System (AHS) is recently regarded as one subsystem of Intelligent Transport System (ITS). 近年来自动公路系统(Automated Highway System,AHS)，作为智能运输系统的子系统之一越来越受到重视。

4 modules   

n.模块( module的名词复数 )；单元；（宇宙飞船上各个独立的）舱；组件

参考例句：

• The course consists of ten core modules and five optional modules. 这门课程包括十个必修单元和五个选修单元。
• Our English course is divided into modules on poetry, drama, and novels. 我们的英语课分为诗歌、戏剧和小说等单元。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 aerate   

v.充气，让空气进入

参考例句：

• It were an aquarium,complete with an air pump to aerate the running water.但最让我难忘的礼物否则玩具，而是唯一带空气泵、能通气的鱼缸。
• Each insect contributes something just as ants aerate the soil.每一种昆虫都贡献了一些事情，就象蚂蚁松土给土壤增加空气一样。

6 pesticides   

n.杀虫剂( pesticide的名词复数 )；除害药物

参考例句：

• vegetables grown without the use of pesticides 未用杀虫剂种植的蔬菜
• There is a lot of concern over the amount of herbicides and pesticides used in farming. 人们对农业上灭草剂和杀虫剂的用量非常担忧。 来自《简明英汉词典》

7 retailers   

零售商，零售店( retailer的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• High street retailers reported a marked increase in sales before Christmas. 商业街的零售商报告说圣诞节前销售量显著提高。
• Retailers have a statutory duty to provide goods suitable for their purpose. 零售商有为他们提供符合要求的货品的法定义务。

8 nutrients   

n.（食品或化学品）营养物，营养品( nutrient的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• a lack of essential nutrients 基本营养的缺乏
• Nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream. 营养素被吸收进血液。 来自《简明英汉词典》