SCIENCE IN THE NEWS - National Arboretum

SCIENCE IN THE NEWS – November 5, 2002: National Arboretum¹

By George Grow

VOICE ONE:
This is Bob Doughty².
VOICE TWO:
And this is Steve Ember with Science in the News, a VOA Special English program about recent developments

in science. Today, we tell about the United States National Arboretum. It is a peaceful natural area in

Washington, D-C. Yet the Arboretum is an active center for both scientific research and public education.

(THEME)

VOICE ONE:

Many people who come to Washington act surprised when they first visit the United

States National Arboretum. The National Arboretum is only a short drive from the

center of the city. However, visitors to the Arboretum often feel like they are far
from the busy American capital.

The National Arboretum covers one-hundred-eighty hectares of green space in the northeast part of Washington.
The area is famous for its beautiful flowers, tall trees and other plants. About nine-thousand different kinds of
plants and trees grow there.

VOICE TWO:

An arboretum is a place where trees and plants are grown for scientific and
educational purposes. The National Arboretum was established by an act of Congress³
in Nineteen-Twenty-Seven. Today, the United States Department of Agriculture’s
Agricultural Research Service operates the Arboretum.

The goal of the Arboretum is to carry out studies and provide education in an effort to
improve the environment. The goal includes protecting trees, flowers and other plants
and showing them to the public.

VOICE ONE:

The National Arboretum is a popular stop for visitors to Washington. The grounds are open every day of the year
except December twenty-fifth, the Christmas holiday. It does not cost money to visit the Arboretum.

More than five-hundred-thousand people visit the Arboretum grounds each year. Another five-hundred-thousand
visit with the help of computers. They use the Arboretum’s Internet web site to learn about how to care for
plants and current research programs.

Director Thomas Elias says Arboretum officials would like to see even more visitors. He says they believe that
many people do not know it exists.

VOICE TWO:

Part of the problem may result from the fact that there is no local public transportation train station near the
Arboretum. Many famous places in Washington are a short walk from the city’s Metro⁴ local train system. The
Arboretum is easy to reach by automobile⁵ or bus, however. About fifteen kilometers of roads have been built on
the property. The roads connect to major collections and seasonal⁶ flowers.

One of the many award-
winning daylilies.
(Photo - U.S. National
Arboretum)

The Arboretum also welcomes people on bicycles. Disabled people or those who want to walk only short
distances may visit four beautiful areas that are close to each other. People who like longer walks will enjoy the
Arboretum’s many pathways. There is a small eating place on the property or you may bring food to eat during
your visit. There also is a small gift store that sells books and other things.

(MUSIC BRIDGE)

VOICE ONE:

Early this year, Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman opened a year-long celebration in honor⁷ of the National
Arboretum’s seventy-fifth anniversary⁸. Mizz Veneman praised the Arboretum as a national treasure.

As part of the celebration, Mizz Veneman assisted⁹ in the planting of a tree near the United States Capitol
building. The tree -- a Sun Valley red maple¹⁰ -- is one of the many award-winning plants developed by Arboretum
scientists.

The Sun Valley red maple was developed as part of a project to study the genetic¹¹ qualities of leaf color and insect
resistance¹². The tree produces leaves that remain bright red late into autumn. It was tested in the state of Maryland.
The Sun Valley maple kept its colorful leaves for about two weeks before they fell to the ground. The tree also
resisted the potato leafhopper, an insect that feeds on the leaves of trees.

Agriculture Department officials say they expect the Sun Valley red maple will be ready for sale to the general
public next year.

VOICE TWO:

Scientists at the Arboretum have developed many of the trees and flowers now found in the United States and
many other countries. Over the years, the Arboretum and the Agricultural Research Service have released¹³ almost
seven-hundred different plants. Each year, they offer several new plants. In the past, scientists there have
developed new flowering plants and improved other kinds plants. They also have developed virus-resistant plants
with processes of genetic engineering¹⁴.

In September, the Arboretum started a research program that examines national issues linked to another kind of
plant -- turfgrass. Turfgrass often grows in open, green spaces around American homes and businesses. It also is
grown near many public roads and other areas.

Scientists at the Arboretum will carry out long-term studies to improve the quality of turfgrass. They hope to
strengthen the grass’s resistance to dry weather, insects and disease¹⁵. The program is being carried out with the
industries and groups directly involved in turfgrass development, production and support.

((MUSIC BRIDGE))

VOICE ONE:

The Agricultural Research Service operates a number of centers and laboratories¹⁶ across the United States. The
National Arboretum is best known for its beauty. Visitors can always find flowering plants. You can start looking
for flowers in the Arboretum’s Asian Collections, Friendship Garden and National Boxwood Collection.

This past summer, the unusual flowers and huge leaves of the Victoria water platters were extremely popular.
The hotter than normal weather in Washington this past summer made the plants grow especially well. For the
first time, all the Victoria water platters in the Arboretum’s aquatic¹⁷ garden area came from seeds. The
Arboretum successfully grew enough plants to place sixteen in a large container filled with water. The other
plants were given to other plant centers across the country.

VOICE TWO:

Last year, a severe wind storm damaged areas near the Arboretum, in Prince George’s County¹⁸, Maryland. The
storm caused major damage at the Agricultural Research Service laboratories in Beltsville, Maryland. Cars were
destroyed, and parts of several A-R-S buildings were damaged. Many trees were damaged so badly that they had
to be removed. Arboretum officials and scientists offered the Beltsville center plants to replace those lost during


the storm.

The Arboretum also has become famous through cooperative¹⁹ programs with other countries, including Japan,
Russia, South Africa and South Korea.

(MUSIC BRIDGE)

VOICE ONE:

Each year, the Arboretum offers a number of educational programs and special events. For example, last month
there was a talk by a man who wrote a book about famous trees. There was a program about caring for small
evergreen²⁰ trees. Children were invited to a talk about the importance of composting. A scientist explained how
plant remains²¹ can help other plants grow.

An orchid²² show and sale also was held at the Arboretum in October. Visitors enjoyed botanical art and walked
through a building filled with the beautiful flowers. Visitors talked with guides to learn more about growing
orchids²³. Some of the plants were offered for sale.

VOICE TWO:

Officials say it would be difficult for the Arboretum to operate as well as it does without the support of private
organizations. The Arboretum has about one-hundred employees. Yet it depends on many other people who offer
their time and effort without payment²⁴.

For example, the Friends of the National Arboretum is a non-profit group that provides financial support. The
money is used for Arboretum training programs, the gardens and collections and special projects. The group also
reports to Congress about the Arboretum’s special needs.

Another support organization is the National Capital Area Foundation²⁵ of Garden Clubs. The group has its
headquarters²⁶ at the Arboretum. Its members offer their time to help with the Arboretum’s plant collection. They
also serve as guides for visitors. They help thousands of people enjoy the National Arboretum, this beautiful
natural area in the nation’s capital.

((THEME))

VOICE ONE:

This SCIENCE IN THE NEWS program was written and produced by George Grow. This is Bob Doughty.

VOICE TWO:

And this is Steve Ember. Join us again next week for more news about science in Special English on the Voice of
America.

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1 arboretum   

n.植物园

参考例句：

• We can go to the arboretum in the southern suburb.我们可以去南郊的植物园。
• The arboretum is full of exotic flowers and rare herbs.植物园里长满了各种奇花异草。

2 doughty   

adj.勇猛的，坚强的

参考例句：

• Most of successful men have the characteristics of contumacy and doughty.绝大多数成功人士都有共同的特质：脾气倔强，性格刚强。
• The doughty old man battled his illness with fierce determination.坚强的老人用巨大毅力与疾病作斗争。

3 Congress   

n.(代表)大会；(C-:美国等国的)国会，议会

参考例句：

• There were some days to wait before the Congress.大会的召开还有几天时间。
• After 18 years in Congress,he intented to return to private life.在国会供职18年后，他打算告老还乡。

4 metro   

n.地铁；adj.大都市的；(METRO)麦德隆(财富500强公司之一总部所在地德国，主要经营零售)

参考例句：

• Can you reach the park by metro?你可以乘地铁到达那个公园吗？
• The metro flood gate system is a disaster prevention equipment.地铁防淹门系统是一种防灾设备。

5 automobile   

n.汽车，机动车

参考例句：

• He is repairing the brake lever of an automobile.他正在修理汽车的刹车杆。
• The automobile slowed down to go around the curves in the road.汽车在路上转弯时放慢了速度。

6 seasonal   

adj.季节的，季节性的

参考例句：

• The town relies on the seasonal tourist industry for jobs.这个城镇依靠季节性旅游业提供就业机会。
• The hors d'oeuvre is seasonal vegetables.餐前小吃是应时蔬菜。

7 honor   

n.光荣；敬意；荣幸；vt.给…以荣誉；尊敬

参考例句：

• I take your visit as a great honor.您的来访是我莫大的光荣。
• It is a great honor to receive that prize.能拿到那个奖是无上的光荣。

8 anniversary   

n.周年(纪念日)

参考例句：

• They celebrate their wedding anniversary annually.他们每年庆祝一番结婚纪念日。
• Today is my parents'30th wedding anniversary.今天是我父母结婚30周年纪念日。

9 assisted   

adj.[计]辅助的v.帮助，促进( assist的过去式和过去分词 )；为…的助手；为…当帮手；辅助

参考例句：

• We were ably assisted by a team of volunteers. 我们得到一批志愿者的大力协助。
• The nurse assisted with the preparation of the medicine. 护士帮助准备药品。 来自《简明英汉词典》

10 maple   

n.槭树，枫树，槭木

参考例句：

• Maple sugar is made from the sap of maple trees.枫糖是由枫树的树液制成的。
• The maple leaves are tinge with autumn red.枫叶染上了秋天的红色。

11 genetic   

adj.遗传的，遗传学的

参考例句：

• It's very difficult to treat genetic diseases.遗传性疾病治疗起来很困难。
• Each daughter cell can receive a full complement of the genetic information.每个子细胞可以收到遗传信息的一个完全补偿物。

12 resistance   

n.抵抗力，反抗，反抗行动；阻力，电阻；反对；adj.抵抗的

参考例句：

• Very little resistance was put up by the enemy.敌人没怎么进行抵抗。
• An aircraft has to overcome the resistance of the air.飞机须克服空气的阻力。

13 released   

v.释放( release的过去式和过去分词 )；放开；发布；发行

参考例句：

• He was released on bail pending committal proceedings. 他交保获释正在候审。
• With hindsight it is easy to say they should not have released him. 事后才说他们本不应该释放他，这倒容易。

14 engineering   

n.工程，工程学，管理，操纵

参考例句：

• The science of engineering began as soon as man learned to use tools. 人类一学会使用工具,工程科学就开始了。
• It was the first great engineering works in the world. 这是世界上第一家大型的工程工厂。

15 disease   

n.疾病，弊端

参考例句：

• The doctors are trying to stamp out the disease.医生正在尽力消灭这种疾病。
• He fought against the disease for a long time.他同疾病做了长时间的斗争。

16 laboratories   

n.实验室( laboratory的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• For, eight years, Marie Curie worked in cold laboratories with poor equipment. 整整八年，居里夫人在设备简陋、冰冷的实验室里做着实验。 来自英汉非文学 - 科学史
• Some commercial laboratories use periodic nitrate tests as guides. 许多商业性的试验室已应用定期的硝态氮分析作为指导。 来自辞典例句

17 aquatic   

adj.水生的，水栖的

参考例句：

• Aquatic sports include swimming and rowing.水上运动包括游泳和划船。
• We visited an aquatic city in Italy.我们在意大利访问过一个水上城市。

18 county   

n.县，郡

参考例句：

• When the good news reached there,the whole county rejoiced.喜讯传到那里时，全县的人都欢欣鼓舞起来。
• In that year county after county fell to the enemy.那一年一个又一个的县城沦入敌人手中。

19 cooperative   

adj.有合作意向的，合作的；n.合作社（企业）等

参考例句：

• The workmen are very cooperative,so the work goes on smoothly.工人们十分合作，所以工作进展顺利。
• We decided to set up a cooperative.我们决定开办一家合作社。

20 evergreen   

n.常青树；adj.四季常青的

参考例句：

• Some trees are evergreen;they are called evergreen.有的树是常青的，被叫做常青树。
• There is a small evergreen shrub on the hillside.山腰上有一小块常绿灌木丛。

21 remains   

n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹

参考例句：

• He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
• The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。

22 orchid   

n.兰花，淡紫色

参考例句：

• The orchid is a class of plant which I have never tried to grow.兰花这类植物我从来没种过。
• There are over 35 000 species of orchid distributed throughout the world.有35,000多种兰花分布在世界各地。

23 orchids   

n.兰花( orchid的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Wild flowers such as orchids and primroses are becoming rare. 兰花和报春花这类野花越来越稀少了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• She breeds orchids in her greenhouse. 她在温室里培育兰花。 来自《简明英汉词典》

24 payment   

n.付款，支付，偿还，偿还，报应

参考例句：

• I gave ten pounds in payment for the goods I bought.我买那些东西付了10英镑。
• This last payment will wipe out your debt to me.这最后一笔付款将了结你欠我的债务。

25 foundation   

n.[pl.]地基；基础；基金会；建立，创办

参考例句：

• The foundation of the university took place 600 years ago.这所大学是600年前创办的。
• The Foundation gives money to help artists.那家基金会捐款帮助艺术家。

26 headquarters   

n.司令部，指挥部；总部，总店

参考例句：

• Several great guns from the headquarters are coming to see us today.总部的几个大人物今天要来看我们。
• The bank has its headquarters in Pairs.这家银行的总行在巴黎。