There is a very real sense that Bermuda is still a "green'' island -- a fact borne out by the ever-increasing popularity of the annual Agricultural Exhibition, says Agriculture and Fisheries director, John Barnes.

As the Island gears up for this year's special 60th anniversary show, he concedes that while the primary emphasis may have changed over the years from agriculture to horticulture, the number of participants and visitors are greater than ever before.

"I believe that Bermuda is basically in good shape,'' he says. "Certainly, compared with a lot of islands to the south, Bermuda's eco-system has been handled very well. Bermuda has not become a concrete jungle and although some aspects were not handled so well in the past, I think environmental awareness is flourishing here. We have to think of the overall effect of what we do to the environment, and that is happening now, I think.'' In spite of complaints to the contrary -- which certainly helps to keep important environmental issues on the front burner -- Mr. Barnes says that for an island that has been largely urbanised, there is still a strong rural feel to the place.

"By and large, people keep their gardens looking nice, and I think the average man in the street likes the way his island looks -- we still have oleander and hibiscus hedges, scattered woodland, the odd horse and goat tethered out and chickens and ducks running around. In fact, I think people would be surprised to know that we have over 1,000 horses, enough cows to keep us self-sufficient in milk supplies -- and a great many goats. Goats, incidentally, make wonderful pets, which also supply milk! And I doubt if it ever crosses most peoples' minds that we have about 20 or 30 serious goat fanciers, and some very talented people who maintain fine stocks of pigs, poultry and guinea pigs. I would add that I believe we are one of the few places that is actually creating new open space, through the work we are doing on the Pembroke dump and on the former Base lands.'' This is reflected, he feels, in the continuing upsurge of interest in just about every aspect of the Agricultural Exhibition -- whether it is in showing flowers and produce, livestock, home-made foods, arts and crafts, or in the extensive equestrian events.

"Whether they are amateurs or professionals,'' says Mr. Barnes, "the amount of effort made in baking, or planting, or painting a picture for the children's art show, is truly astonishing. A lady entering for the `best yeast bread', for instance, may bake up to 20 loaves before she produces the perfect specimen, and the timing involved in persuading orchids or roses, for example, to bloom on the right day must be nerve-racking! On the culinary front, some of the chefs spend 30 hours or more creating a particular piece.'' This year, if the weather is fine, Exhibition organisers are expecting that visitors will top the 20,000 mark -- this being in addition to the hundreds and hundreds of volunteers who work behind the scenes to make the event a success. "This will be a special show for a number of reasons,'' says Mr.

Barnes. "It is our 60th anniversary and, unfortunately, this will be the last Show for the Governor and Lady Waddington, who have always been so genuinely supportive and interested. He will perform the official opening for us and I believe this may well be his last public function. We have been very grateful for their support.'' There will be a special souvenir programme this year, providing a history of the event, featuring some of the people who have been involved over the years, a peep behind the scenes to give the public some idea of how the show is organised and, of course, a programme guide for each day and descriptions of the various entry classes.

"We go to great lengths each year to ensure that the ring events are colourful. Our equestrian events are always very colourful, fast and entertaining. There are new jumps this year, with around 16 to 18 horses in each class. As the finalists ride against the clock there is a real element of suspense which the audience loves. We are pleased that the Racing Pigs are returning to entertain everyone, as they were very popular last time. The Flying Superkids from Denmark are going to be wonderful, new event and I think will prove popular with everyone. They have performed all over the world and, as we attract a lot of young people to the Exhibition, I think it will be good for them to see these wonderfully trained kids as the centre of attention and to demonstrate just what young people can achieve.'' Also planned are volleyball demonstrations, bands playing during lunch periods and dance groups performing line dancing, country and western.

Agricultural Exhibition celebrates its 60th From Page 25 The Suzuki music group will be playing and, on Thursday and Friday, KBB is sponsoring the Bermuda Institute in a play called "Tears of the Sea'', which has an environmental theme. There will be "non-stop'' entertainment going on in either the main or upper rings.

He reveals that a special closing ceremony will be held on the Saturday evening.

"Because it's our 60th show, we are inviting the public to come, free of charge, to join in the celebrations with the Flying Superkids from Denmark giving a final, rousing show in the Main Show Ring. The Bermuda Regiment Band will be on hand and hopefully, they will be including the `1812 Overture' in that programme, complete with firing canons, smoke and thunder!'' Mr. Barnes, who has been director at Agriculture and Fisheries since 1991 believes another reason for the Exhibition's popularity is the fact that it has always been, and remains still, a strictly local affair.

"It's intended as a local festival that brings the community together and I would say it is very successful in that respect. I guess,'' he adds with a laugh, " that back in the old days, St. George's came to see what Somerset was up to, and they all met in the middle!'' He is the first to admit that the Show also provides an effective way of getting various, important messages across to the public on such issues as pet care, keeping Bermuda free of litter, and this year, for instance, a special section devoted to recycling. "Everything eventually gets back to the environmental theme.

We are also emphasising the importance of plant protection, with an open house showing the problems of pest management. The team will be explaining why we have to be so careful not to try and bring plants in from abroad.'' Noting that international law demands quarantines, he cites the disaster being currently caused by the pink mealy bug in the Caribbean.

"If that got here, the damage would be catastrophic. We are not being spoil-sports when we impose what may seem to be draconian regulations. When we refused to release the Christmas trees a few years ago, everybody got angry and called us Mr. Scrooge, but if we had let them in, the blight on them would have killed all our trees -- we have to educate people about this kind of thing because we have to be absolutely vigilant to keep Bermuda as we know and love it. If we can use the Agricultural Show to get these kinds of points across, that is a big plus.'' The 60th Agricultural Exhibition takes place in the Botanical Gardens on April 24, 25 and 26. Grounds open daily at 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. and the exhibition houses open each day at 9 a.m. Admission is $5 for adults, children under 16 $2.50, children under five are free, and for senior citizens, the fee is $2 Parking for cars is $2 and reserved seats are $3.

THE FLYING SUPERKIDS -- The singing, bouncing, young gymnastic team from Denmark will be a main attraction at the 60th annual Agricultural Exhibition.