GUELPH, ONTARIO - Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
GUELPH, ONTARIO - Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
GUELPH, ONTARIO - Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
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A,, - Thin layer of partially decomposed leaves, twigs,<br />
etc.<br />
A, - O-4 inches s<strong>and</strong>y loam; dark grey-brown (10 YR<br />
4/2); fine crumb structure; very friable consistency;<br />
few to frequent stones; pH - 7.0.<br />
A21- 4-13 inches s<strong>and</strong>; yellowish brown (10 YR 5/6) ;<br />
weak platy structure; very friable consistency;<br />
gravelly; pH - 6.8.<br />
At2- 13-17 inches s<strong>and</strong>; pale brown (10 YR G/3);<br />
single grain structure ; loose consistency ; gravelly ;<br />
pH - 6.4.<br />
Bz - 17-23 inches s<strong>and</strong>y loam ; dark brown (10 YR<br />
4/3) ; weak nucif orm structure ; friable consistency;<br />
gravelly; very stony; pH - 7.2.<br />
C - S<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> gravel; very pale brown (10 YR 7/3) ;<br />
single grain structure ; loose consistency ; calcareous<br />
; very stony; pH - 7.8.<br />
The horizons are usually poorly defined in the esker formations, possibly<br />
due to the porous nature of the materials. The soil is well drained <strong>and</strong> has<br />
irregular steeply sloping topography. Vegetation in the remaining woodlots<br />
consists mainly of beech <strong>and</strong> hard maple.<br />
<strong><strong>Agri</strong>culture</strong><br />
Donnybrook s<strong>and</strong>y loam is used chiefly for general farming in Bruce County.<br />
Fair yields of oats, alfalfa, hay <strong>and</strong> pasture are obtained <strong>and</strong> can be increased<br />
with the use of fertilizer. The type has a low natural fertility <strong>and</strong> fertilizers<br />
high in nitrogen, phosphorus <strong>and</strong> potassium are needed to increase the fertility<br />
level.<br />
Cultivation is hampered by the complex topography <strong>and</strong> by the presence<br />
of boulders in the upper part of the profile. However, in some areas, where a<br />
foot or two of s<strong>and</strong>y loam occurs over the stony materials the l<strong>and</strong> may be<br />
worked with greater ease. The type is very susceptible to erosion <strong>and</strong> should<br />
be kept under cover for as long as possible. Steep slopes should have a permanent<br />
cover of grass or trees, but rotation crops can be grown on the more<br />
gradual slopes.<br />
Most of the cleared uncultivated areas are used for pasture which, when<br />
well managed, provides a good growth of grass. However, undergrazing has<br />
resulted in the growth of buckthorn which soon reduces the value of the pasture.<br />
F. SOILS FORMED FROM OUTWASH MATERIALS<br />
The outwash materials are s<strong>and</strong>s or gravels deposited by moving water.<br />
The size of the particles deposited depends upon the speed at which the water<br />
moves - the slower the movement of water the smaller the particles deposited.<br />
These materials assume the form of s<strong>and</strong> bars, beaches <strong>and</strong> outwash plains.<br />
The Fox, Tioga <strong>and</strong> Sullivan catenas are developed on well sorted s<strong>and</strong>y<br />
outwash materials. The Fox catena is made up of the excessively drained<br />
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