POWERHOUSE COLLECTION

'Grazing sheep' glass plate negative

Object No. 85/1286-239

Soil erosion is a natural occurrence in Australia as soil is moved constantly by wind and water. Living tree roots can stabilise soil particles by binding them tightly but, when trees die, the soil becomes susceptible to erosion. Nearly every tree on the hills in this photo is dead, probably ringbarked. Ringbarking involves cutting a ring of bark from around the trunk, which stops the flow of vital nutrients to all parts of the tree. It was a cheap and effective method of clearing land and was common practice in the 1800s. The glass plate negative from which this image is produced was taken by Charles Kerry who was, in 1890, appointed official photographer to the Governor of New South Wales, Lord Carrington. In addition to portrait photography, Kerry photographed street scenes, parades, race meeting, cricket matches, rural scenes and sailing on Sydney Harbour. In 1895, Kerry began travelling around the colony photographing squatter's land, homesteads, families and livestock. By 1898, Kerry was sufficiently successful to have a purpose built studio on George Street, Sydney.