“But in terms of ease and evenness of application, nothing will ever match rain. Rain falls so evenly, wetting the lawn, the vegetable garden, the flower border, the fruit trees, and the forest. Downpours are such democratic events. If only we knew how to call them up. Scheduling a picnic, or starting to work on the roof, or sunning the bed sheets sometimes does the job. The rain clouds sweep suddenly out of nowhere as if they had been waiting for a signal. And then, giddy with pleasure at being able to turn our back on the plumbing, at least for now, we stand at the windows and watch the rain fall, the earth drinking in the water.”

— Roger B. Swain  Horticulture Magazine, May 1992