and formal gardens with assorted woodlands, a rock garden, a vegetable and fruit garden, greenhouses, a slat house and aviary? Meet a few of the key staff who have the immense responsibility for tending, maintaining and developing the Bermuda Botanical Gardens sandwiched between Berry Hill Road and South Road.

The Gardens are maintained by the Bermuda Government, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries headed by Mr. Kevin Monkman and a passionate team.

The curator is Ms Sarah Vallis who started as a student in 1987 and came on full time 1991. Foremen of the grounds are Mr. Norwood Salaam and Mr. Roger Parris employed six and nine years respectively. The technical assistant is Mr. Steve Burgess recently employed.

Mr. Salaam and Mr. Burgess served in the apprentice programme as young men.

The programme was discontinued seven years ago.

Within seconds of talking to the group one knows they share a common thread - they are all zealous about nature, particularly flora.

Ms Vallis advised, "This is the 100th anniversary of the Botanical Gardens and we see at least 100,000 visitors a year.

"We probably see significantly more when you include the locals who use the grounds on the weekends for family picnics and reunions. Because the visits are free we do not keep actual tabulations. However, the gift shop, located in the Visitor's Centre, counts visitors through their doors of about 70,000 per year.

"All of our free tours are given by 14 volunteer tour guides who come with various levels of plant science. The tours are given three times a week, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and begin at 10:30 a.m. at the Visitor's Centre.'' History: The Gardens opened in 1898 and covered ten acres and were known as the Public Garden. The original area was nearly doubled in 1921 with the acquisition of the Montrose estate. However, three acres were lost in 1962 for the expansion of the neighbouring King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

The garden grew to its present size of approximately 36 acres in 1965, following the purchase of the Camden Estate to the east.

The name Public Garden was changed to agricultural Station in 1912, in keeping with its purpose at that time. Later, in 1958, the present name, Bermuda Botanical Gardens was adopted.

One of Ms. Vallis' key roles as curator is being the plant expert. "I'm the plant person for our department and I try to answer the plant questions.

"I also handle our landscaping architecture and a lot of my time is consumed with botany issues.

"Each staff has his strengths. Over the years gardening has been perceived as unskilled work and this is simply untrue,'' she advised. Foreman Salaam shared: "I love my work! To do this you need a passion for nature. It gets very hot during summer and you must have intense stamina, visor and skill. I enjoy enhancing the gardens. It is very rewarding for me to tend and add beauty.'' Foreman Parris added: "I like watching things grow from seeds. I love working and tending the experimental kitchen garden which produces fine, hardy vegetables. Tourists walk around and talk to me and they give me ideas.

Likewise, they ask many questions about our flora and they take home ideas.'' In his role as technical assistant Mr. Burgess focuses on education and garden displays. He works closely with the school systems and the Botany Camp ran by the Bermuda Botanical Centre. "One of my favourite aspects of work is with the volunteer tour guides. Their training is one of my responsibilities and they are our ambassadors,'' he said.

The group said the questions they are most frequently asked by tourists just walking about are: What kinds of grasses are used on the lawn here and around Bermudian homes? They ask various questions about the sensory garden which was developed by the Society for the Blind 30 or 40 years ago. There are various textures on the leaves of plants for tactile experience and some leaves have different fragrances. Water running over stones provides an audible stimulus.

What is the age of the Ficus Rubber Trees and the banyan tree? Man's first source of rubber came from these trees. Both of these trees have many aerial roots anchored into the ground to support their huge branches. These are the largest trees in the gardens.

According to Mr. Burgess the questions most asked on the tours are: How do we get water? Meaning the gardens and residents in general.

What flowers can be grown in Bermuda? What kinds of ways does Bermuda use the flowers? The curator said, " Match me if you can has many medicinal purposes such as aids for respiratory problems, bruises and even arthritis.'' What kind of agriculture does Bermuda have? What kind of tropical house plants grow well here? The staff explained, "Tourists are enchanted by the fact that the Premier's Residence, Camden, is used for receptions and functions rather than an actual home.

"They are also amused by the aviary which was part of the Tucker family additions to Camden in the early 1900s. Many unusual and colourful birds are maintained in the collection.'' The staff had a few recommendations for Tourism: Better marketing for the Botanical Gardens. The curator invites people to come and see the rich resources the gardens provide for our community.

She said: "The gardens link how we coexist with nature. Plants provide shelter, medicine and entertainment. Recent research shows the natural environment is superb for children. They can climb and play around trees, pick up small sticks and stones, and development an early appreciation for nature.'' Restoration of the Visitor's Centre. It needs a boost as the front of the building is condemned due to structural problems. The present portion of the space is simply too small to accommodate two bus loads of visitors into the gift shop and surrounding outdoor resting area.

Recognition and communication about the Botanical Gardens 100th anniversary this year. "It would be helpful if Tourism helped us get the word out and once a month sponsored a lecture theme to the community,'' Ms. Vallis suggested.

Brief educational exchanges for the staff with formal gardening facilities abroad to keep abreast of global trends and techniques.

In conclusion, the staff welcomes all visitors. The curator suggested that all of us need to be aware of global issues.

"Each year the earth is loosing more and more rain forest. We plan to replace our wooden benches when they deteriorate with strong plastic ones. We can all be helpful by recycling.''