GUELPH, ONTARIO - Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Adaptability Rating for Bruce County Soils
In rating the soils of Bruce County consideration is given to the soil type -
crop relationship with particular reference to the comparative suitability of
individual soil types for specific crops grown in the area. The suitability of
soils to produce crops will vary according to differences in texture, structure,
organic matter, reserve of plant nutrients and their availability, stoniness,
depth to bedrock, etc.
The ratings given in the following tables (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18) are obtained
by weighing the characteristics of the soil in relation to their effect upon the
production of a particular crop. Purely scientific rat’ings are rather difficult
to obt#ain, due to t)he many factors t,hat influence crop production on the various
soil types. If crop yields could be collected under specific management from
sample areas well distributed over a soil type area, and for a sufficient number
of years to eliminate differences due to climate, crop ratings would probably
be quite accurate. However, such a collection of data would be costly and
time-consuming.
Comparative ratings for the different soils of Bruce County according to
their capability to produce crops commonly grown in the County are given
only in descriptive terms because of lack of definite information on yields of
many of the crops. The rating is based on observations made during the
course of the soil survey, by data and opinions furnished by agronomic and
soil workers familiar with the area, and by consultation with local farmers
and others. No rating has been given where a crop is not commonly grown.
Although crop yields vary considerably from year to year and from farm
to farm on the same soil type, an attempt has been made to arrive at an average
yield of the main crops grown on each soil type in the area surveyed. These
average acre-yields, which are based on information obtained from farmers
and on personal estimates, are compiled in Table (19). They represent average
&imat’ed yields for a number of years, under prevailing farm practices. Yield
data have been given only for those crops for which reasonably accurate information
could be obtained.
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