GUELPH, ONTARIO - Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

A virgin profile, developed under hardwood vegetation, exhibits the following
characteristics:
A0 - Thin layer of partially decomposed leaves, twigs,
etc.
A1 - O-4 inches loam; dark greyish brown (10 YR 3/2) ;
fine granular structure; friable consistency ; few
stones; pH - 6.7.
Azl-- J-17 inches loam; yellow-brown (10 YR 5/4);
weak platy structure ; friable consistency ; stonefree;
pH -- G.G.
As*--- 17-20 inches loam; pale brown (10 YR G/3) ;
weak platy structure; friable consistency; stonefree;
pH - 6.4.
Bz - 20-30 inches clay loam; brown (10 YR 4/3) ;
medium nucif orm structure ; firm consistency ;
few stones; pH - 7.0.
(1 - Loam till; light yellowish brown (1OYR G/4) ;
medium nucif orm structure ; hard consistency ;
moderately stony; pH - 7.8.
Harriston loam, with its smooth moderate slopes, has good external and
internal drainage and has developed under vegetation similar to that of the
Dumfries series. The most commonly occurring trees are hard maple, beech,
basswood and ironwood. When exposed, this soil is susceptible to sheet erosion,
and chemical tests show it to be fairly well supplied with plant nutrients.
Agriculture
The Harriston loam is well suited to dairy, beef, or general farming and
some good farms have been established on this type. Most farm crops commonly
grown in Bruce County are produced with reasonably good success.
Cereal grains, alfalfa, hay, pasture and turnips produce good yields on Harriston
soils.
Where livestock are kept, the use of forage crops and barnyard manure ’
provides the basis for an effective and sound erosion control program. ‘A large
proportion of the land has been cleared and is in regular crop rotation.
Harriston soils are generally low in phosphorus, medium in potassium and
medium to low in nitrogen. Additions of fertilizers and manure are required so
that the fertility level of these soils can be increased and maintained.
Harriston Silt Loam (2,000 acres)
Harriston silt loam differs from the loam chiefly in surface texture. The
presence of a# slightly higher content of fine materials gives the Harriston silt
loam a somewhat higher level of natural fertility than the Harriston loam.
Harkaway Silt Loam (10,100 acres)
Harkaway silt loam is found i n the northern part of the County where it is
associated with the drumlinized land and has a smooth, moderately sloping
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