GUELPH, ONTARIO - Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

The characteristic A horizons of the Podzol soil are not in evidence in areas
where the land has been disturbed by cultivation.
The Tioga occurs as a smooth very gently sloping outwash plain with low
external drainage and rapid internal drainage. Tree cover consists mainly of
sugar maple and beech, although in many sections where these trees have been
removed, a secondary growth of poplar, silver birch, balsam and cedar is
common. The natural fertility of the series is 101~ and the surface reaction
is usually medium acid.
Agriculture
General farming and the growing of some specialized crops is practised on
the Tioga series. Because of low fertility and susceptibility to erosion large
acreages have been reforested. However, where the land is cleared fairly
extensive areas are used for pasture purposes.
When heavy applications of fertilizer are applied good potato crops can
be grown. Where the soil is cultivated, additions of barnyard manure are
needed to reduce the loss of soil by wind erosion and increase and maintain
the organic matter content of the soil. Fertilizers high in nitrogen, phosphorus
and potassium should be used for satisfactory growth of most farm crops.
Tioga Sand (100 acres)
Tioga sand is one of t,he minor soil types occurring in the County and is
similar to the sandy loam. It is somewhat more susceptible to erosion and has
a lower natural fertility than the sandy loam.
*
The type is probably best used
for forestry.
Sullivan Sandy Loam (2,600 acres)
Sullivan sandy loam is developed on calcareous sandy outwash materials
and is found chiefly in the vicinity of the town of Hanover. It exhibits both
Brown Forest and Grey-Brown Podzolic characteristics and is considered to
be a Brown Forest - Grey-Brown Podzolic Intergrade. The following is a
description of a profile developed under deciduous vegetation:
A0 - Thin layer of partially decomposed leaves, twigs,
etc.
Al -
O-3 inches sandy loam ; dark grey (2.5 Y R 4/O);
fine crumb structure; very friable consistency;
stonefree; pH - 7.2.
BZ - 3-10 inches sand; dark brown (10 YR 4/3) ;
single grain structure ; loose consistency ; stonefree;
pH - 7.4.
C -
Sand; grey (10 YR 6/ 1) ; single grain structure;
loose consistency; calcareous; pH - 8.0.
Although the series is essentially stonefree, occasional gravel strata occur
in some areas. The topography is smooth gently sloping and the drainage is
good. The natural vegetation present in existing woodlots consists mainly of
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