| From the land that gave the world Godzilla and sushi comes what farmers hope will become the newest fad: square watermelons. It may sound strange, but think about it. Watermelons are a tasty treat, but they're not exactly easy to fit in a refrigerator already crowded with summer snacks. So, about 20 years ago, a farmer on the island of Shikoku in southwestern Japan came up with the idea of making a cube-shaped watermelon that can easily fit in the fridge. How do you get a naturally oblong melon to grow as a square? Farmers grew the fruit in glass boxes. The fruit then naturally assumed the same shape. On Thursday, about 400 cuboid watermelons were shipped to Tokyo and Osaka. The growers are hoping big-city residents will develop a yen for the peculiarly shaped produce. If city dwellers do have an appetite for the square melon, they'll have to pay. The melons are expected to be sold for around 10,000 yen apiece - equivalent to U.S. This square watermelon may look strange, but it will fit into your fridge a lot easier, farmers say. (Agencies) | 日本，這個為世界帶來電影《哥斯拉》和壽司風暴的國家， 這次為我們帶來了方形西瓜。 日本農民期待這會成為一種新時尚。 這聽起來有點奇怪，但仔細一想也有道理。西瓜美味可口，但它橢圓的形狀卻很占地方，不易放在冰箱保存，尤其是在夏天，冰箱擁擠不堪的時候。 所以，20年前，一位四國島的農民就產生了種植方便儲藏在冰箱內的方形西瓜的念頭。 如何讓橢圓的西瓜長成方形呢？農民想到了玻璃箱，在玻璃箱中水果就依人所愿地長成了方形。 上周四，大約有400個方形西瓜被運到東京和大阪。種植者相信這種形狀奇異的西瓜會刺激大城市居民的購買欲。 如果都市居民確實對它感興趣，他們會愿意掏錢去買。這種方形西瓜預計售價為每個10,000日元，即每個83美元。 依農民的說法，這種方形西瓜形狀是奇怪了些，但把它放在冰箱里儲存起來確實容易多了。 (中國日報網站譯) |
Updated: 2001-06-20 01:00
