AGY-2805 | Division of Scientific Services [Department of Agriculture] 1941-1970 / Biological and Chemical Research Institute (1970 - 1992)

Full description

Background
The Botanist’s and the Entomologist’s Branches of the Department of Agriculture were established during 1891. (1) The first Botanist, Fred Turner, was employed in the Department from 1 August 1890 initially as a permanent administrative staff member. From 1 September A. Sidney was designated the first entomologist. (2) The major tasks were fruit- breeding, seed distribution. The first steps towards the establishment of a museum of economic botany were taken. The branch was also concerned with correspondence, report writing, preparing articles for Agricultural Gazette, and a small entomologist’s laboratory was commenced for observation of the habits and life cycle and for the breeding of insects. (3) The Chemist's branch was established in 1892 as the Analytical Branch of the Department of Agriculture (4) The first Chemist, F.B. Guthrie, was employed in the Department from 1 January 1892 initially on the permanent administrative staff. (5) The Chemist’s Branch was responsible for analysis of soil, manure, and agricultural products such as milk, foodstuffs, wheat, sugar beet, poisonous plants, wine, and water used for irrigation purposes. (6) The Biological Branch was formed in the Department of Agriculture on 1 July 1913, with G. P. Darnell Smith, biologist, E Mackinnon, assistant- biologist, and laboratory assistants S. Birrell and W. A. Birmingham. The staff fitted up a bacteriological laboratory and a room for plant pathology, a major task was the investigation and control plant disease. (7) Division of the science services and Biological and Chemical Research Institute
At the request of the Chairman of the Public Service Board, the Undersecretary of the Department of Agriculture undertook a close review of the organisation of the Department with particular reference to its educational and scientific activities. The Biological Branch with Plant Pathology and Bacteriology sections, Botanical, Chemical and Entomological branches became the Division of Science Services. These changes began in 1940, and the Division was created during the first half 1941. (8) In 1946/47 approximately 150 projects concerned with such matters as progeny testing, and breed development. Insest control, classification of plants, soil and other chemical analyses, milling quality of wheat,and investigation of plant diseases. The Chief Botanist was also the Curator Botanic Gardens and National Herbarium. (9) Towards the end of the financial year (1969/70), the former Division of Science Services was renamed the Biological and Chemical Research Institute and the former Chief of Division became Director. (10) The Institute incorporated: the Biology Branch with Plant Pathology and Bacteriology sections; Chemistry Branch with Cereal and Pesticide Sections and The Chemistry Laboratories; Entomology Branch. (11) The Functions of the Research Institute were similar or same as in previous years.
Plant pathologists from the Biology Branch carried out research on the diagnosis and control of plant diseases. Bacteriologists from same branch carried out research on factors influencing the successful establishment of nodule-producing bacteria in the soil and on plants. They also distributed cultures of these bacteria to other research centres and industrial organisations. The overall functions of the Chemistry Branch were to bring to the agricultural and related industries the benefits of research in and knowledge of chemistry and related sciences with particular reference to soils, waters, plant nutrition, cereals, pesticides and diary chemistry. The entomology Branch as earlier was responsible for development of new and improved methods of identification and control of insect and mite pests, advising extension officers, primary producers, organisations and the public on pest problems and control measures.(12) During 1992, the Biological and Chemical Research Institute ceased to be a separate agency and its functions were absorbed into the Division of Plant Industries of the Department of Agriculture which offered research and advisory services in the fields of agricultural, chemistry, entomology and plant pathology.(13) End Note
(1) Annual Report of the Department of Agriculture for 1891, A.R. v. 8 1892/93, p 678-680
(2) Blue Books 1893, p.197
(3) Annual Report of the Department of Agriculture for 1891, A.R. v. 8 1892/93, p 678-680
(4) Annual Report of the Department of Agriculture for 1892, A.R. v. 2 1893, p 951
(5) Blue Books 1893, p.197
(6) Annual Report of the Department of Agriculture for 1892, A.R. v. 2 1893, p 951
(7) Annual Report of the Department of Agriculture for 1913/14, A.R. v. 1 1914/15, p 31
(8) Annual Report of the Department of Agriculture for 1940/41, A.R. v. 1 1940/41, p 9, and Public Sector Board, Annual Reports 1939-1953, 12/15117
(9) Annual Report of the Department of Agriculture for 1946/47, A.R. v. 1 1947/48, p. 7-9
(10) Biological and Chemical Research Institute Rydalmere, Administration files 1967-1976, Annual Report Chemical Section for 1970, 7/11488
(11) Annual Report of the Department of Agriculture for 1970, A.R. v. 1 1969/70/71, p. 208
(12) Annual Report of the Department of Agriculture for 1974, A.R. v. 1 1974/75, p. 105
(13) N.S.W. Government Directory, Second edition 1992, p. 45