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Soils of the - Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

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(N)<br />

General L<strong>and</strong> Use Comments : (1) Except where severely limited by adverse topography, Nicholson soil s<br />

are generally moderately to well suited for most agricultural crops. Annual crops usually do well althoug h<br />

rooting restrictions due to <strong>the</strong> dense subsoil may sometimes be somewhat limiting . Perennial crops very<br />

susceptible to temporary, perched watertables will suffer during <strong>the</strong> winter months <strong>and</strong> artificial drainage may<br />

be beneficial for <strong>the</strong>se crops . L<strong>and</strong> levelling which exposes <strong>the</strong> dense, clayey subsoil is discouraged . Not onl y<br />

will several years <strong>of</strong> intensive soil management such as substantial manuring <strong>and</strong> deep plowing be required t o<br />

return <strong>the</strong> soil to its previous productivity, trafficability will also be reduced because <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> clayey nature <strong>of</strong> th e<br />

new surface soil. Nicholson soils are usually intimately intermingled with o<strong>the</strong>r soils which <strong>of</strong>ten makes <strong>the</strong> m<br />

difficult to manage as discrete areas . (2) Nicholson soils are moderately to poorly suited for urban or simila r<br />

uses. Soil bearing strengths are variable <strong>and</strong> excavation is difficult due to high clay contents . Sediment yield<br />

from run<strong>of</strong>f is high . Excavations are likely to contain water through parts <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> year <strong>and</strong> septic tank disposa l<br />

fields will function inefficiently due to <strong>the</strong> low soil permeability . (3) Trees grow well although rooting depth i s<br />

somewhat restricted by <strong>the</strong> dense subsoil . Data from a limited number <strong>of</strong> plots indicates potential annual woo d<br />

production by Douglas-fir to be between 9 <strong>and</strong> 12 m 3/ha. Wood-lots or similar uses should be considered i n<br />

areas where adverse topography limits agricultural uses .<br />

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