A MODEL HOME

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2611, 5 November 1915, Page 7

A MODEL HOME

[Inserted by Arrangement.] Among the chief centres of interest at the present Manawatn Show being held at Palmerston North is a model homestead, garden, lawns, and all complete, illustrative of modernised landscape gardening- as practised by Messrs. A. W. Buxton, .Ltd., landscape architects, '■ of Christohiwch. The model is of considerable magnitude and completeness, illustrating the art of gardening in its' most channing and artistic form, and the exhibit is not only appreciated by' the eclectic few able to differentiate-between mediocrity and perfection, but iB readily recognised and admired by the great lay majority, and there certainly are many features to be seen in it of gardening skill of the highest order. Mr. A. W. Buxton is himself in charge of the-ex-hibit, and in course of an interesting chat it was gleaned that each year witnesses the silent growth of the people's desire to turn their "houses into homes." The reporter inquired further as.to his methods of work, and -was' told that following an inquiry, he makes a survey, of the grounds, and submits a plan drawn to scale, and showing the whole of the proposed work in detail, with the individual . cost of each shrub and rockery or lakelet cleaTly marked. If then it is desired to proceed with one portion of the' work this year and another next, and so on, until completed, it can be done without endangering the harmony of the whole. In support of this he indicated lie had carried out extensive plans for sesveral municipalities, also many large grounds throughout the Dominion, including Mr. E. Shorfs at Paroraugi, Mr. R. Tanner's at Longburn, Mr. Liggins*s at Toiomaru, Mr. Munganru's at Porirua, and others.

Many other interesting derails of the work were given. The impression gained of Mr. Buxton's work is that he has raised what was formerly common "gardening" to the nature of an "art," and that any person or town wishing to beautify their surroundings woi Id do well to consult this'firm.