On the rejuvenation of tropical Iaterttes by the incorporation of basalt dust
O. D’HOTMAN DE VILLIERS
ABSTRACT:
1. The work of N. Craig and P. Halais of the. Reoherches Station as well as our own research on the soils and climates of the island, having amply shown that our soils of the wet regions are in an extreme state of climatic poor, we have the idea of regenerating them by incorporating powdered basalt.
2. This idea that has worried us for several years and which seems to us to be the logical focus of the genetic study of tropical soils, will bring, we are convinced, a happy revolution in soil science under climates where atmospheric agents are the cause of a deep decomposition by hydrolysis and a rapid exhaustion of the primary minerals of basaltic tner rocks; – easily alterable rocks and rich in fertilizer elements8.
