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About Rock Dust
The Elixir of the Earth
To grow a greener lawn, have healthier trees, and cultivate bigger
vegetables, the soil needs to be enriched. Before reaching for that bag
of nitrates or other chemical fertilizers, the conscious homeowner or
farmer should stop for a moment to consider what needs to be put back
in the soil to enhance its life-giving properties. Like the magnified
form of the human body, the earth has the wondrous capability of
healing itself. When forested areas of the world use up the nutrients
in the soil, the earth has a built-in remineralization system that can
be learned from and applied right in the back yard. The process is
known as remineralization through rock dust application. John Hammaker,
a research scientist in Massachusetts, postulates that each ice age in
the history of the earth regenerated its topsoil. When the planet's
forests deplete the soils of nutrients, they begin to die off,
releasing their stored carbon into the atmosphere. All this carbon
builds up in the atmosphere, creating a "greenhouse effect" and causing
a the earth's temperatures to rise.
This heat is most concentrated around the equator where the
sunlight is greatest. The higher temperatures cause evaporation, and
the moisture rises, creating a vacuum underneath which pulls in cooler
air from the polar regions. As the air is pulled in from the North and
the South, another vacuum ensues, pulling the warm moist air towards
the poles. During this time there is a lot of strong activity like
typhoons and hurricanes that occur in the earth's sub-tropical
regions. When the moist warm air from the tropics arrives in the polar
regions, it hits the cooler temperatures and condensates as snow. The
snow builds up, and the weight causes it to pack into the ice and push
southward from the north pole and northwards from Antarctica. At this
time there is an increase in earthquakes and volcanoes caused by the
extra weight on the continents. The glaciers descend, grinding up all
rocks and mountains in their path, remineralizing the soil. When the
forests again take root, they absorb the carbon from the atmosphere
through photosynthesis, and the ice age diminishes.
Hammaker has extended this hypothesis to explain what is currently
occurring on earth right now. According to Hammaker, earth's
inhabitants have accelerated the onset of the next ice age through the
burning of fossil fuels and the deforestation of large forested areas
like the Amazon. Hammaker says the only way to stop the glaciers from
knocking down our back doors within this generation or the next, is
to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, reforest the cities and
the countryside by replanting and remineralizing the earth through rock
dust applications. While Hammaker advocates going out and
remineralizing all forests and fields, the average homeowner usually
does not have the time to take on such a large task. However, by simply
taking care of one's yard and garden through natural means, the
cumulative effects will yield significant results on a global scale.
About Rock Dust
The amount of minerals and the quality rock used to produce rock
dust depends on the location of the quarry, and the mining process.
Many companies sell rock dust, but it is best to inquire about what
minerals it contains and if there are any chemicals added. If their
manufacturing plant is nearby, ask to take a tour. Some companies
simply sell the dust that is left over from manufacturing other
products. This may not have the necessary minerals for plants and
trees, so it is best to buy rock dust from those companies which make
it specifically for this use. They will be happy to provide a lab
report for you.
Rock dust is usually high in calcium, iron, magnesium, sulfur, and
more than 100 other trace minerals. The PH level is often very high
(eight or nine) and therefore must be used in small amounts, combined
with compost, with peat moss if acid soil is required, or made into a
liquid form. The rock dust does not dissolve when mixed with water, but
forms a colloid, making it instantly available to the plants it is
sprayed on. Rock dust can replace many other natural mineral
products which are harder to get and more expensive.
The Bacteria Eat First
Not all the food that you add to your soil makes it to the plants.
Initially, it must be broken down by soil microbes. The microbes live
in many different areas of the soil, some live on the root hairs of
many plants, some live only deep in the ground. The bacteria which live
on the root hairs of plants convert minerals found in the soil
into a different form of the same mineral which is available to the
plants.
Microbes tear apart or combine minerals. Also when the microbes die
they leave behind minerals in a changed form which is also available to
the plants as food.
Mix The Dust
For best results mix different sources of rock dust together to
get more complete trace minerals. There are many companies now offering
rock dust. We have listed as many of them as possible in our Resource
Directory. (coming soon)
Making your own Rock Dust
While this is not the easiest way, it can be done. Obtain a fifty
gallon steel drum, weld bicycle gears at both ends. Hook up a bicycle
through the chain gears. Set up the front wheel on a non-moveable base.
Get a large round river stone to place inside. Make an opening which
can be closed and locked. Then place local rocks into drum and exercise
while crushing the rocks! Most soft rocks will work well. You can also
crush lobster tails, clams, and other seafood materials. Add oyster
shells to increase calcium.
For a more thorough understanding of remineralization, subscribe
too Remineralize the Earth and read Hamaker and Weaver's The
Survival of Civilization.
RESOURCES
SR Research Packet
Remineralize the Earth offers new Agriculture and Forestry
Research Packets on remineralization research around the world
(228 pages). The set of two is available for $25.00 ppd. First
Class. (U.S. $28.00 for Canada, Mexico and U.S. $36 outside the
U.S.).
Remineralize the Earth, 152 South Street, Northampton, MA 01060-
4021.
Hamaker Weaver Publishers
The Survival of Civilization by John Hamaker and Don Weaver
($12.00 ppd.). This important book is the foundation on which
RE magazine and the grass roots movements rests.
Don Weaver, Hamaker Weaver Publishers, P.O. Box 1961,
Burlingame, CA 94010.
Tel. (415) 347-9693.
Subscriptions 1995
Remineralize the Earth is part of a community grass roots
network that stretches to every continent. Writing is
contributed. Subscriptions cover mailing and printing. Most
efforts are volunteered. Paying the higher rate allows us to
donate copies to Peace Corps volunteers and others in places
such as El Salvador, Nepal, Cambodia, and countries in
eastern Europe and Africa where sending U.S. $ is not
affordable. Rates for 3 issues (aim per year ) are now $15
(fixed income) , $20, $25 in the U.S. (First Class). We also
recommend paying $25 to help cover recent increases in paper
cost and mailing rates, if possible. Overseas rate is $30(Air
Mail).
SUBSCRIPTIONS
3 issues for $15 (fixed income) or $25 (U.S. First Class), U.S.
$30 outside the U.S. * Send check payable to:
Remineralize the Earth,152 South Street, Northampton, MA 01060-
4021, U.S.A.
Please print clearly.
Thank You.
Last Update: 01/05/97
Web Author: Andrew Lopez
Copyright ©1997 by The Invisible Gardener - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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