Vegetation map of Australia

Scarce map of Australia showing the distribution of different types of vegetation made by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, 1931 from surveys by J.A. Prescott (1890-1987).

In 1924 Prescott met A.C.D. (later Sir David) Rivett prior to his becoming Chief Executive Officer of the new authority, the Commonwealth Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, CSIR, in 1926. Renamed later the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, CSIRO. Rivett subsequently informed Prescott of the growing concern of both State and Federal authorities with the steadily increasing problems of salinity and waterlogging in the irrigation areas of the Murray and Murrumbidgee River valleys and sought his advice about means of arresting the resulting loss in production and proceeding to reclamation. Following discussions with the various irrigation authorities in New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia, Prescott, in August-September 1926, made an inspection of all the irrigation areas involved, proceeding from east to west. He was shown so much damaged land that in the end, to get a more balanced view, he asked to be shown ‘what you would show the Governor-General’. He was taken to the areas of more permeable soils served by higher-lift irrigation water. As a result of his inspection, Prescott suggested the setting up of a Soil Investigation Section under his leadership at the Waite Institute. This was implemented in July 1927 by the appointment of J.K. Taylor, who had detailed soil survey experience in California, and of H.N. England.

Collections:
National Library Australia: Bib ID 282620