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GUELPH, ONTARIO - Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

GUELPH, ONTARIO - Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

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Approximately I7 per cent of the total l<strong>and</strong> area is composed of loam <strong>and</strong><br />

silt loam soils developed on medium textured till or gravelly materials. The<br />

Dumfries, Osprey, Harriston <strong>and</strong> Harkaway series are susceptible to erosion<br />

<strong>and</strong> all of the group respond to fertilization.<br />

The Dumfries <strong>and</strong> Osprey series occur on irregular steeply sloping topography<br />

<strong>and</strong> are susceptible to sheet erosion. Because of the complex relief,<br />

erosion must be controlled by long rotations, cover crops <strong>and</strong> other simple<br />

practices. The steeper slopes should be left under a permanent cover of grass<br />

or trees. Numerous stones hinder cultivation, <strong>and</strong> fertility is lower than is<br />

general for the other soils in this group. The suitability of these soils to the<br />

production of cereal grains, hay <strong>and</strong> pasture is only fair. For best results<br />

applications of phosphatic, pot,assic <strong>and</strong> nitrogenous fertilizers <strong>and</strong> additions<br />

of barnyard manure are required.<br />

The Harriston series produces good yields of most farm crops with the<br />

use of satisfactory rotations <strong>and</strong> good soil management. Occurring on smooth<br />

moderately sloping topography the Harriston series is susceptible to erosion,<br />

but this hazard can be adequately controlled by the use of relatively simple<br />

erosion control measures. Crop response can usually be obtained by additions<br />

of fertilizer. Commercial fertilizers most commonly used by the farmers for<br />

grain <strong>and</strong> pastures are 3-18-9 <strong>and</strong> 2-16-6, while 4-12-10 is used for potatoes,<br />

corn, roots <strong>and</strong> gardens. Barnyard manure should be added to maintain the<br />

organic matt’er content.<br />

The Harkaway series has soil management problems somewhat similar to<br />

those of the Harriston except for the stony phase, where large numbers of<br />

stones on the surface interfere with cultivation. Control of run-off is important<br />

because the long smooth slopes increase the danger of erosion. Ordinarily,<br />

reasonable care in tillage, fertilization, <strong>and</strong> the selection of rotations will<br />

provide the necessary control of erosion. Where possible, tillage should be on<br />

the contour. The series is well suited to the production of cereal grains, hay,<br />

clover <strong>and</strong> pasture. The high lime content of these soils <strong>and</strong> their good drainage<br />

makes them ideal for the production of alfalfa.<br />

The Teeswater series is developed from silty alluvial deposits over gravel<br />

<strong>and</strong> has smooth gently sloping topography. The soil is adapted to a wide range<br />

of field crops such as alfalfa, clover, corn, pasture, oats <strong>and</strong> barley. It is also<br />

suited to special crops such as small fruits, market garden crops <strong>and</strong> to orchards.<br />

The l<strong>and</strong> can be used for both early <strong>and</strong> late crops. Variations in yields from<br />

year to year are not! so great as on some other soils, <strong>and</strong> in wet years they are<br />

one of the most productive soils of the area. Teeswater soils are easy to cultivate<br />

except where stoniness occurs due to the removal of the stonefree overburden<br />

by erosion. Their fertility is fair to moderate <strong>and</strong> best fertilizer responses<br />

are obtained with superphosphate <strong>and</strong> some nitrogen on most farm<br />

crops, while legumes respond also to potash fertilization. Water erosion is not<br />

a serious problem but may be harmful on the steeper slopes near the rivers if<br />

control measures are not, used.<br />

The Sargent <strong>and</strong> Burford series occur on smooth gentle slopes <strong>and</strong> are<br />

developed on gravelly outwash materials. A complete description of these<br />

soils is given in Part III. The chief limitation to crop production is low natural<br />

fertility. The soils are adapted to a wide range of crops, <strong>and</strong> yields are good<br />

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