Contenu du sommaire

Abstract. Recent changes on the banana market (1950-1970) : The banana market has known, between 1950 and 1970, very important changes. The substitution of Cavendish varieties to Gross-Michel traditional) grown, specialy in the American area, imposes to all levels, from production to commercialisation, a complete renewal in the banana industry. Consequently the recovery of central american plantations confirms the overproduction that proceeds from the spectacular development of banana lands in Ecuador after Wolrd War II. So, the utility of periodical meetings between producers and consumers being evident, the survey of banana problems is, since 1964, the purpose of international conferences organised by the F.A..O. The opening of new markets, particularly in Japan, permits in the same time some rehabilitation of the general situation of the market. The development of the banana consumption in the socialist countries gives some interesting prospects for the future.

Abstract. In France, the definition of the urban boroughs depends on the « Institut National de la Statistique et des Etudes Economiques ». At each census, the criterium of the definition has been modified taking in account the urban growth. In the 1968 census, 1.390 new boroughs are included in the class of the urban areas. Some of them are very small boroughs (less than 500 inhabitants), and urban areas have been made with only large villages. These limits give a new image of the urbanisation in France, showing obviously the end of the seclusion of the towns in their rural sunounding.

Abstract. After a first stage of large plantations with New Hebrides and Salomon Islands workers, has succeeded a second stage of smaller properties (20-50 ha). With the help of Government Sugar Experiment Stations, the white farmers practise a very intensive monoculture and the yields are very high. Recently, mechanical harvesters have replaced the Europeans hand cuttters'work.

Abstract. The areage of the Bordeaux vineyard has been decreasing for fifty years, while the output has been the same because of the increase of the yields. But since two years a sudden rise of the wine market-prices, which is very different between the vineyards, might change some aspects of the countryside and promise a wealthy period.

Abstract. The studied area, stretching between the « Cévennes » and the Mediterranean Sea, is wholly situated in the field of the Pyrenean-Provençal mountain range. A. one hundred meters high cliff keeps two separate surfaces apart : the surface of the « Basses Garrigues » of Montpellier, at 180 m above sea-level, and the one of « Viols-Le-Fort » and « Cazevieille », the altitude of which is oscillating between 225 m and 300 m ; towards N., the latter surface is dominated by the heights of « L'Oustadou », of « Celette » Mountain and of « Saint Loup » Peak, which make out an actual barrier (though the barrier is not continuous, as is testified by the « Passe de Cambous ») which cuts it apart from the flattened surfaces of « Sauzet » Wood and its annexes, spreading themselves out 300 m high above sea-level. Numerous alluvial remains are to be found on « Viols-le-Fort » and « Cazevieille » surface, as well as on « Sauzet » Wood and the limestone plateau (« Causse ») of « L'Hortus » : red clay-and-sand superficial deposits with limonites nodules, numerous pebbles of quart% and of crystal lophyllian, coming from the « Cévennes». In relation with these gravels, the size of which varies from a few millimeters to about forty centimeters of great axis, fine quarts pebbles are present, which do not exceed 3 cm, with rigorously geometrical forms, like hazelnuts ; they can only be found there and on « Causse-de-la-Selle » calcareous table, forming a fine fossil valley between the « Séranne » and the secondary chain of « L'Ourtadou-Célette » which represents a tributary valley of the huge surface of « Viols-Le-Fort » and « Cazevieille », into which were also flowing the contributions coming directly from the N. through the « Passe de Cambous ». Both these tributaries have been able to operate simultaneously, even successively. The levelling of the planes of« Sauzet » Wood and of « Viols-Le-Fort » surface, as well as of « Causse-de-la-Selle » valley, is Miocene, in the same way as their drainings and the alluviations which occured there. « Viols-Le-Fort » and « Cazevieille », the altitude of which is oscillating between 225 m and 300 m ; towards N., the latter surface is dominated by the heights of « L'Oustadou », of « Celette » Mountain and of « Saint Loup » Peak, which make out an actual barrier (though the barrier is not continuous, as is testified by the « Passe de Cambous ») which cuts it apart from the flattened surfaces of « Sauzet » Wood and its annexes, spreading themselves out 300 m high above sea-level. Numerous alluvial remains are to be found on « Viols-le-Fort » and « Cazevieille » surface, as well as on « Sauzet » Wood and the limestone plateau (« Causse ») of « L'Hortus » : red clay-and-sand superficial deposits with limonites nodules, numerous pebbles of quart% and of crystal lophyllian, coming from the « Cévennes». In relation with these gravels, the size of which varies from a few millimeters to about forty centimeters of great axis, fine quarts pebbles are present, which do not exceed 3 cm, with rigorously geometrical forms, like hazelnuts ; they can only be found there and on « Causse-de-la-Selle » calcareous table, forming a fine fossil valley between the « Séranne » and the secondary chain of « L'Ourtadou-Célette » which represents a tributary valley of the huge surface of « Viols-Le-Fort » and « Cazevieille », into which were also flowing the contributions coming directly from the N. through the « Passe de Cambous ». Both these tributaries have been able to operate simultaneously, even successively. The levelling of the planes of« Sauzet » Wood and of « Viols-Le-Fort » surface, as well as of « Causse-de-la-Selle » valley, is Miocene, in the same way as their drainings and the alluviations which occured there.

Summary. The Châtillonnais consists of limestone plateaux which are found in the upper basin of the Seine. These are drained by occasional watercourses (Seine, Ource, Laigne). There are many springs with little supply upstream, whereas downstream, on the fringe of the « Vallée », well supplied perennial ones (« douix ») feed from the rivers. The Laigne, in particular, disappears over 19,5 km. What happens to the waters swallowed up in the basin of the Laigne ? A qualitative answer is given to this question.