-- and the proliferation of roses in Bermuda on the eve of Valentine's Day is one indicator that a floral gift is a must for the romantic.

But spare a thought for the men and women, who make summer days of winter nights in the snow-laden Taconic hills in the US.

In an icy valley, 20 miles west of Albany, New York, on a seven-acre indoor farm, bathed in the amber glow of simulated sunshine, hybrid roses grow on 6-foot-tall bushes pampered in a computer-controlled atmosphere.

They are picked night and day in the run up to Valentine's Day.

The most popular red rose is said to be Kardinal.

For America's 225 growers of florist's roses, Valentine's Day is big business.

According to industry figures, the holiday accounts for more sales, at higher prices, than any other day.

Wholesale prices for long-stemmed red roses typically double between mid-January and Feb. 14, from about 50 cents to more than $1 a stem.

The Bermuda Florist on South Shore Road, Devonshire said prices for roses -- all imported from the US -- will rise by about February 9. Long stemmed roses will cost $9, medium stemmed $8 and short stemmed $5.

* * * APP Mr. Dennis Higginbottom -- the new president of the Bermuda Insurance Management Association (BIMA) -- possesses more than just leadership talents.

Although modest about his proficiency as a singer, Mr. Higginbottom sings bass with the Bermuda Philharmonic Society.

Mr. Higginbottom, who has lived in Bermuda for 14 years, is a director and senior vice-president at American International Company.

During his 25 year long career in insurance, he has worked for the Sun Alliance Group, Sedgwicks as a broker, as well as acting as an insurance manager in industry, all in the UK.

Mr. Higginbottom, who replaces Mr. Roger Gillett as BIMA president, predicts that Central and South America will provide potential new markets for Bermuda captives.

However, he is adamant that the US will remain the dominant source of captive insurance business for Bermuda. The BIMA aims to protect the interests of 33 member companies -- all insurance management organisations, which manage more than a 1,000 captive companies in Bermuda.

Mr. Higginbottom was president of the Bermuda Insurance Institute from 1991 to 1993.

* * * NJ Butterfield Asset Management (BAM) is planing to produce a more sophisticated and detailed version of its fortnightly Financial Viewpoint booklet.

The publication contains specific interest rate and currency forecasts, recommended asset allocation, as well as market and economic analysis on a global scale.

BAM intends to produce the booklet on a weekly basis in the future, and include asset allocation recommendations broadened to encompass UK-based, as well as US Dollar based strategy.

The most recent issue states that the US and UK economies have both strengthened. First quarter 1994 GDP in the UK could rise to 3 percent, according to Financial Viewpoint.

In its view, fiscal tightening from April onwards should push growth back to the 2 percent level. And interest rates will decline only modestly, making Sterling the strongest European currency.

* * * BUC The Bermuda Insurance Institute's Young Members division has organised a "Round the Town'' relay race. Aside from the one-mile relay race, there is a five mile individual "Crown Life Round The Town Race''.

Both will be held on February 13, starting at No. 6 Shed on Front Street.

Entrants are asked to complete an entry form by February 11.