THE FAIRFIELD NURSERY.

Feilding Star, Volume III, Issue 35, 18 October 1882, Page 3

THE FAIRFIELD NURSERY.

«. A day or two ago it was our pleasure to be shown over the grounds of Mr Alexander Laird, of the Fairfield Nursery, Wanganui. It is situated at the tip of Victoria Avenue, and comprises altogether about 8 acres of rich vegetable mould, of various depths down to 5 or 6 feet. Three years agq the place was in a wild state, and was almost ent rely overgrown with rich vegetation. It was evidently at one time occupied by bush, which by s .me na'nral process must have been destroyed some generations since, and ihe decayed wood now forms the principal constituent of the so 1. liy dint of untiring indu-try a d per.-c vera nee, Mr Laird has, rnmparativi ly speaking, turned a wilderness into a paradise, and has reaped his reward in the J urge stock of trees and plants he has produced, and the extensive patronage wilh which he has been favored in disposing ot" the same. >|ere are to be found orchard trees in abundance, especially apples, which many believe will yet be the staple fruit of New Zealand, and of which Mr Laird says he will have about 7,000 strong healthy \-oung plants next season. The greater poition of these have been grafted upon guaranteed blight-proof stocks, which is n mailer of great importance, especially to amateur growers. Among the numerous shrnhs and evergieens with which the ground is stocked, the proprietor estimates he will have about 9,000 pines ready jwr_ next season. In addition to a goodjPubslanlial dwelling house there are on fKe ground several green-houses, hothouses .fecund in one of (he former we were shown ahout 1.000 vigorous young pot plants If only to see how much can . be accompli shed by energy and perseverance in so short a time, the nursery is « w pll worthy visiting, while here, together vilh Mr Laird's shop hi the Avenue, ample choice can he made of almost every thing mentions hie in the horticultural line. Mr Laird is n t only a practical horticulturist, but is a man of some literary ability, as well as in matters pertaining to his profession, and contributes regularly some well -written articles to the Yeoman from bis own pen, as well as furnishing paragraphs from other sources | not otherwise accessible to general readers.