GUELPH, ONTARIO - Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

potash and nitrogen are necessary to maintain fertility levels, and barnyard
manure should be used to preserve a good physical condition in the soil.
Huron Silt Loam (4,900 acres)
Formed on similar materials to the Huron clay loam, Huron silt loam
differs from the clay loam only in the texture of the surface horizons. Land
use and soil management practices are the same as those used for the Huron
clay loam.
Vincent Clay Loam (900 acres)
Small areas of Vincent clay loam occur in Amabel and Albemarle Townships.
Formed on calcareous, fine textured till the Vincent soils exhibit the
characteristics of the Brown Forest) -- Grey-Brown Podzolic Intergrades. A
description of a tfiypical Vincent clay loam profile follows:
A0 - Thin layer of partially decomposed leaves, twigs,
etc.
A1 - O-3 inches clay loam; very dark greyish brown
(10 YR 3/2); medium granular structure; friable
consistency; few to frequent stones; pH - 7.2.
.B1 - 3-10 inches clay loam; yellowish brown (10 YR
5/4); fine to medium nuciform structure; firm
consistency; few stones; pH -- 7.3.
H2 - lo-21 inches clay loam; brown (7.5 YR 4/4);
medium nuciform structure; hard consistency
when dry, plastic when wet; frequent stones;
pH - 7.4.
C - Clay loam till; light brown (7.5 YR 6/4); fragmental
stru&ure; hard consistency when dry,
plastic when wet; few stones; few shale fragments;
pH - 8.0.
The development of a weak At horizon may occur which is pale brown in
colour and has a weak platy structure. It does not occur as a continuous layer
which can be observed in all profiles but more frequently is found in small
pockets. When this layer is present the profile resembles the Grey-Brown
Podzolic soils more closely than the Brown Forest soils.
The topography is smooth moderately rolling and the series is moderately
suscept)ible to erosion. The slope of the land is conducive to good external
drainage. Although the materials are not as porous as the loam tills, there are
suflicient stones present to allow fair internal drainage. Beech and hard maple
are the dominant tree species occurring in the woodlots \I-ith ash, basswood
and ironwood also present. In some areas a secondary growth of poplar and
silver birch occurs.
Agriculture
The Vincent soils are used chiefly for general farming. The variety of crops
grown is conditioned by climate but good yields of crops, commonly grown in
the district where these soils occur, are obtained.
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