Cindy Campbell, age 11, of Montgomery, Alabama, for her question:

Where do Papayas grow?

Originally the papaya was a native tropical American. Nowadays it is grown in Florida and on Hawaii and other Pacific islands. In fact, it can be coaxed in almost any rather moist, frost free region where the soil is rich in natural fertilizers. When grown, it looks like a palm tree topped with an umbrella of large shaggy leaves. Its golden green fruit looks like a big bunch of melons, hanging up there under the umbrella.

The papaya is a very fast grower that produces its first fruit when less.than one year old. Seeds from inside the fruit may be started in cans indoors and later moved outdoors to enjoy ten months of mild weather, moist and sunny. However, the seeds produce plants of three sexes. The female bears the fruit and one of the other types must be grown to pollinate it. The fast growing plants need frequent helpings of natural fertilizers, such as fishmeal, bloodmeal and cottonseed meal. True, they need a lot of tender, loving care. But the reward is worth it. They yield bumper crops and those soft pulpy fruit taste somewhat like a blend of peaches, strawberries and cantaloupes.