Patricia Fuller, 16, of Springfield, Mass., for her question:

WHAT IS FLORICULTURE?

Floriculture is the art, science and business of growing ornamental plants. Some ornamental plants are grown for outdoor use while others are specially produced for interior decoration.

Raising and marketing cut flowers and decorative plants ranks as a large industry. In mild climates, people grow cut flowers and potted plants outdoors, even in winter. But in cold climates, such plants are grown in greenhouses that can be heated during cold weather.

Floriculturists can control the blooming of flowers by various techniques developed through research. The poinsettias are always ready for Christmas and the lilies are ready for Easter.

Researchers in floriculture have developed long stemmed carnations, thornless roses and double snapdragons. Floriculturists work in nurseries, florist shops and seed companies.