Soil Report - Agriculture et Agroalimentaire Canada

INTRODUCTION
The soil survey conducted to gather information for the
maps and text of this report was actually a resurvey of the
former counties of Norfolk and Haldimand . The original
surveys for these counties were completed during the 1920's -
and 1930's and, although soil maps and reports were compiled
from the soils information, only the maps were published .
These maps and their extended legends were published at
scales of approximately 1 :125 000 (1,2) .
The decision to resurvey Norfolk and Haldimand counties,
now combined into the Regional Municipality ofHaldimand-
Norfolk, was made in response to increasing demands for
better and more detailed soils information than the old maps
could supply . Hence, soil mapping at a scale of 1 :25 000 was
begun in 1974 and completed in 1980. Preliminary soil maps,
incorporating this new soils information, were made available
during this time period .
The report is divided into two volumes. Volume 1
includes descriptions of the environmental setting of the
soils, generalized descriptions of the soils, and soil
interpretations . Volume 2 contains detailed morphological,
chemical and physical descriptions of typical soils, as well as
tables of statistical means and engineering test data . In
addition to the report, there are thirteen soil maps published
at 1 :25 000 scale, and one soil map with generalized soil
information at 1 :100 000 scale .
HOW TO USE THE SOIL
MAPS AND REPORT
Resource managers, such as farmers or foresters, usually
know the characteristics and variations of soils on their own
properties, or in the immediate vicinity . Without a soil map
and report, comparison with other soils in the region is very
difficult . With the help of a soil map, regional similarities and
differences between soils can be shown . Such information
can be an aid in buying or renting land, or in transferring
management techniques to similar soils, thereby reducing
the risks of managing new land.
To use the soil maps and report most efficiently the
following procedure is suggested :
(1) Locate the area of interest on the "Soil Map Index"
included with each volume . Note the number of the soil
map on which your area of interest is located .
(2) Obtain the appropriate soil map, and locate your specific
area of interest . Natural and cultural features on the
map, such as streams, contours, roads, buildings, lots
and concessions, should assist in location .
Note the map unit symbols within the map unit delineation
that includes your area of interest .
(4) Consult the legend on the map to aid in understanding
the symbol and in determining the soil components,
their slopes, parent materials, and drainage.
(5) If more information is required on the sôil components,
locate them by name in Volume 1 of the report . A
generalized description of each soil is presented in
Volume 1, as well as some comments on land use, and
suitability for certain uses.
(6) For specific soil interpretations, refer also to Volume I .
It contains soil capability for common agricultural field
crops, soil suitability for special agricultural and
horticultural crops, soil erosion interpretations, soil
interpretations for drainage, and soil interpretations for
forest land management .
(7) For detailed morphological, chemical and physical
descriptions of typical soils, as well as tables of statistical
means and engineering test data, users are referred to
Volume 2 .
Users should understand that each soil exhibits a range of
properties, and that boundaries between map units, even
though they represent the best estimate of where soils
change, may only be approximately located . They should
also be aware that there could be inclusions of unidentified
soil components, as large as a few hectares in area, within
any map unit, because of the map scale and the nature of the
soil mapping . Most soils information is based on the
examination of soil characteristics to a depth of about 100
cm below the surface .
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Many individuals contributed to this project . Most members
of the Ontario Institute of Pedology were very helpful,
especially G . Patterson, B . van den Broek, M . Langman, J .
Hansen, M . McKnight and A Montgomery, who were
responsible for much of the field mapping and preliminary
map preparation . They were ably assisted in the field by B .
Maclean, R. Denis, S . James, G . Winnicki, J. Kiss, D. Aspinall
and S . Lee .
Field sampling and laboratory analyses were carried out
by R. Viitala, B . Hohner and C . Heath of Agriculture
Canada, and J . Gillespie and M. Markle of the University of
Guelph . Engineering testdata were provided by the Aggregates
Section laboratory of the Highway Engineering Division of
the Ontario Ministry of Transportation and Communications .
Cartographic assistance, throughout the project, was
provided by D . Irvine and A . McLennan of the University of
Guelph. Personnel from the Ontario Institute of Pedology,
who contributed substantially to -the data compilation and
analysis, were M . Schmidt, J . Cook, J. Greuel, A . Munson,
P . Allen and A . Sanderson. Special thanks are extended to J.
Cook who was also responsible for the typing and word
processing of the report .
The assistance of R. Chard, extension horticulturist with
the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food, in developing
interpretations for special crops, was much appreciated .
The assistance of M. Watson, N. Sheidow and J . Elliott, of
the Tobacco Research Station, Delhi, in developing tobacco
interpretations, was also appreciated . The preparation of the
soil erosion section, by G . Wall, Agriculture Canada, and I .
Shelton and J. Greuel, of the Institute of Pedology, was
greatly appreciated. Thanks are also extended to P . Chisholm
and R . Irwin, of the School of Engineering, University of
Guelph, for their section on drainage interpretations, and to
T : Taylor of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, and
K . Jones of Agriculture Canada, for their section on interpretations
for forest land management.
Appreciation isexpressed to allmembers of the Cartographic
Section ofthe Land Resource Research Institute, Agriculture
Canada, Ottawa, who were involved in the cartography and
map digitization. Special thanks to B. Edwards who supervised
this work, and to A . Villeneuve who worked with the maps
throughout the project. Appreciation is also extended to
J.H . Day of the same Institute for his suggestions throughout
the project, and critical review of the manuscript .