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GUELPH, ONTARIO - Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

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The clay till or clay usually appears at depths of three feet <strong>and</strong> less. Although<br />

an arbitrary depth of 3 feet <strong>and</strong> less of s<strong>and</strong>y overburden has been established<br />

for the Berrien series, occasionally the s<strong>and</strong> deposits are more variable. In<br />

places the clay or clay till may come to the surface between s<strong>and</strong>y swells.<br />

The natural drainage is imperfect, the run-off being low <strong>and</strong> the permeability<br />

SlOW. The natural vegetation consists mainly of soft maple, elm <strong>and</strong> ash.<br />

Coniferous species such as hemlock, cedar <strong>and</strong> spruce may also occur.<br />

<strong><strong>Agri</strong>culture</strong><br />

The Berrien s<strong>and</strong>y loam in Bruce County occurs chiefly along the Lake<br />

Huron shore <strong>and</strong> can be used for the production of tree fruits, small fruits <strong>and</strong><br />

vegetables when drained. However, most of the type is used for general farming.<br />

The chief limitations to successful crop production are low fertility <strong>and</strong><br />

inadequate drainage. High fertility levels required for cash crops should be<br />

maint,ained by additions of mineral fertilizer <strong>and</strong> barnyard manure. General<br />

farm crops also require fertilizer additions if yields are to be maintained.<br />

Drainage by tiles may prove difficult because of the variation in depth of the<br />

s<strong>and</strong>y overburden.<br />

(iii) Poor Drainage<br />

Wauseon S<strong>and</strong>y Loam (7,200 acres)<br />

The Wauseon series occurs in smooth very gently sloping to depressional<br />

areas <strong>and</strong> is the poorly drained member of the Bookton catena. A Dark Grey<br />

Gleisolic type of profile has developed in which it is difficult to observe the<br />

horizon differentiation. The original tree cover under which this type developed<br />

consisted of elm, ash <strong>and</strong> cedar. Aspen <strong>and</strong> willow are common in areas where<br />

secondary growth occurs. The following is a description of a Wauseon s<strong>and</strong>y<br />

loam profile occurring under natural forest cover:<br />

A0 - Thin layer of partially decomposed leaves, twigs,<br />

etc.<br />

A1 - O-8 inches s<strong>and</strong>y loam; very dark brown (10 YR<br />

2/2); fine crumb structure; very friable consistency;<br />

stonefree; pH - 7.2.<br />

G - 8-14 inches s<strong>and</strong>; light yellowish brown (10 YR<br />

6/4) ; mottled; single grain structure; loose consistency;<br />

stonefree; pH - 7.2.<br />

C - 14-17 inches s<strong>and</strong>; very pale brown (10 YR 7/4) ;<br />

mottled; single grain structure; loose consistency;<br />

abrupt boundary; pH - 7.6.<br />

I> - Clay till or clay; pale brown (10 YR 6/3) ; massive<br />

structure; hard consistency; calcareous; pH - 7.8.<br />

Smooth very gently sloping to depressional topography <strong>and</strong> poor drainage<br />

are characteristics of this type. The profile is stonefree <strong>and</strong> the surface soil is<br />

usually fairly high in organic matter.<br />

70

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