Table 5 .Climatic data for<strong>Brant</strong>ford <strong>and</strong> neighbouring locationsLocationMean AnnualTemperature(°C)Mean AnnualPrecipitation(mm)Mean RainfallMay-Sept(mm)MeanAnnualSnowfall(cm)Growing SeasonStarts Ends<strong>Brant</strong>ford 7 .8 819 364 115 Apr 13 Nov 5Kitchener 7 .3 897 408 152 Apr 14 Nov 1Woodstock 7 .3 862 385 126 Apr 12 Nov 3Hagersville 7 .6 829 374 103 Apr 11 Nov 7Delhi 7 .8 935 389 130 Apr 11 Nov 6Caledonia 7 .6 913 398 146 Apr 12 Nov 7LocationMean LengthGrowingSeason (Days)Mean AnnualGrowing DegreeDaysMean AnnualCorn Heat UnitsMean DateLast FrostMean DateFirst FrostMean AnnualFrost-freePeriod (Days)<strong>Brant</strong>ford 206 3600 2900 May 12 Oct 4 145Kitchener 201 3350 2700 May 18 Sept 30 135Woodstock 206 3450 2800 May 15 Oct 4 142Hagersville 209 3700 3000 May 12 Oct 6 148Delhi 209 3600 2900 May 12 Oct 5 147Caledonia 208 3650 3000 May 12 Oct 5 147
HOW THE SOILS WERE MAPPEDAND CLASSIFIEDSoil MappingInitially, existing resource publications were studied toobtain relevant, current information on the characteristics <strong>and</strong>distribution <strong>of</strong> the soil/l<strong>and</strong> resources . <strong>The</strong>se included the oldsoil map, geological, <strong>and</strong> physiographic maps <strong>and</strong> reports .This provided a general description <strong>of</strong> soil materials for apreliminary soil legend, <strong>and</strong> their geographic distribution inthe area .Strong reliance was placed on the use <strong>of</strong> up-to-date aerialphotographs <strong>of</strong> 1 :15,840 scale for the identification <strong>and</strong> classification<strong>of</strong> soil <strong>and</strong> l<strong>and</strong>scape features <strong>and</strong> for accurate delineation <strong>of</strong> soil boundaries . Prior to commencement <strong>of</strong> fieldwork, stereoscopic study <strong>of</strong> aerial photographs was carried outto establish tentative slope, l<strong>and</strong>form <strong>and</strong>parentmaterial separations. Existing soil, geological <strong>and</strong> topographic informationalso were utilized during the pre-typing phase <strong>of</strong> the work .Extensive field work was conducted to gather further information. This included driving all roads to examine soils exposedin road cuts, or digging soil pits before commencing mapping .Traverses on foot were then arranged to cross as many boundariesas possible, examining soils in different l<strong>and</strong>scape positionsto determine soil characteristics, variability <strong>and</strong>distribution . <strong>The</strong> frequency <strong>of</strong> examination was such that thesmallest areas delineated on the map (approximately 4 hectares)usually had at least one examination site, <strong>and</strong> the largerareas, naturally, manymore . While in the field, the boundarieswere finalized <strong>and</strong> the delineated areas classified . Any opensoil boundaries were extended <strong>and</strong> finalized with furtherstereoscopic study <strong>of</strong> the photographs soon after completion<strong>of</strong> field traverse <strong>of</strong>an area .Soil correlation to ensure consistency <strong>and</strong> quality controlin the soil mapping was achieved by the soil survey party leader,who established benchmark sites at regular intervals which themappers could easily refer to, discussed with the surveyors anyproblems encountered in mapping or classification, <strong>and</strong>checked the final map . Numerous soil samples were collectedfor laboratory analysis in order to relate soil morphologicalproperties, which are the basis <strong>of</strong> field mapping, to accuratelydetermined chemical or physical tests.Complete characterization <strong>of</strong> the soils in the <strong>County</strong> wasachieved through detailed descriptions <strong>and</strong> sampling <strong>of</strong> representativesites, followed by laboratory analyses . For the majorsoils, data was obtained at 3 or 4 sites to satisfactorily representthe range in properties which may be expected within that soil .Survey Intensity <strong>and</strong> Map ReliabilitySurvey intensity level is an indication <strong>of</strong>the precision withwhich the soils <strong>of</strong> a region have been described <strong>and</strong> mapped .Five levels <strong>of</strong> survey intensity have been defined (10) . Level l isthe highest intensity, with the most detailed procedures resultingin the most precise map . Level 5 is the lowest intensity, theleast detailed <strong>and</strong> giving a generalized map . <strong>The</strong> survey intensitylevel <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Brant</strong> <strong>County</strong> soil survey is at an intermediatelevel, between 2 <strong>and</strong> 3 .In this survey there was at least one soil inspection in mostmap delineations . Most boundaries were checked in the fieldduring traverses on foot at intervals <strong>of</strong> approximately 0.5 kmfor small <strong>and</strong> medium-sized delineations, <strong>and</strong> at intervals <strong>of</strong>several kilometres forlarge delineations .Soil inspections were made by examination <strong>of</strong> vertical soilsections with a h<strong>and</strong> auger, probe or shovel to a depth <strong>of</strong>about1 m . In roadcut exposures, or along stream banks, the depth <strong>of</strong>soil examination usually increased to 1 to 2m .Considering the survey intensity level <strong>and</strong> scale <strong>of</strong> soilmapping in <strong>Brant</strong> <strong>County</strong>, the most appropriate uses <strong>of</strong> theinformation are for planning purposes <strong>of</strong> l<strong>and</strong> areas such astownships, watersheds, large urban subdivisions, or largefarms . Use <strong>of</strong> the information for decisions on smaller areassuch as small farms, small subdivisions, building sites, etc . isless appropriate because <strong>of</strong> soil or l<strong>and</strong>scape variability whichcan occur over short distances . Inthese instances, the soil mapscan be used to predict whatconditions are most likely to occur,but the final decision should be made only after on-siteexamination .Soil Classification<strong>The</strong> interaction <strong>of</strong> soil-forming factors such as parentmaterial, climate <strong>and</strong> vegetation acting over thous<strong>and</strong>s <strong>of</strong>years have produced soils in <strong>Brant</strong> <strong>County</strong> with characteristicsthat are a reflection <strong>of</strong> their environments . <strong>The</strong>se characteristicstake the form <strong>of</strong> a sequence <strong>of</strong> layers (horizons) that differin colour, texture, thickness <strong>and</strong> structure . Collectively thesehorizons constitute the soil pr<strong>of</strong>ile.<strong>The</strong> soil pr<strong>of</strong>ile comprises a vertical section <strong>of</strong> the soilthrough all its horizons extending downward into the unweatheredparent material . <strong>The</strong> number, colour, sequence <strong>and</strong> composition <strong>of</strong> the various horizons are the basis upon which soilsare recognized, classified <strong>and</strong> mapped .<strong>The</strong> various horizons <strong>of</strong> mineral soils are differentiated asA, B <strong>and</strong> C horizons <strong>and</strong> are subdivided further, as required,using lower case letters . Figure 12 is an illustration <strong>of</strong>a soil pr<strong>of</strong>ile in a well-drained l<strong>and</strong>scape position, the horizons beingreadily recognizable by colour differences . <strong>The</strong> Ah horizonowes its dark colour to the incorporation <strong>of</strong> organic matter ; thesubscript "h" infers humus accumulation . <strong>The</strong>underlying Bmhorizon is lighter in colour due to its lowhumus content <strong>and</strong> theeluviation <strong>and</strong> weathering<strong>of</strong> constituents such as iron <strong>and</strong> clay.<strong>The</strong> Bt horizon is generally a reddish-brown colour due to theenrichment <strong>of</strong> iron <strong>and</strong> other sesquioxides that have beenleached from the upper horizons <strong>and</strong> deposited in this lowerlayer. <strong>The</strong> lower-case letter "t" is an indication <strong>of</strong> clay enrichmentresulting fromthedownward movement <strong>of</strong>these fine particlesin leaching water <strong>and</strong> subsequent flocculation <strong>and</strong>depositionin the B horizon .
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