Untitled - Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

BRISBANE SERIES
The Brisbane soils are imperfectly drained. They have developed on
similar to those of the Burford soils and occur in association with them. materials
The Brisbane soils have level topography and slow external drainage. Internal
drainage is also slow because of the presence of a high water table. The surface
soil is very dark gray to black and commonly contains more than five per cent
organic matter. The Ae and B horizons are mottled. The B horizon is not as well
developed nor as wavy as in the Burford soils. The depth to the calcareous gravel
is fairly uniform, being an average of 18 inches.
The Brisbane soils are not intensively cultivated but are used mostly for pasture
or grazing lands. Certain areas are used for growing spring grain and occasionally
some corn is grown for fodder. However, many farmers avoid using these soils
in their rotation because of the excess moisture which often delays seeding.
GILFORD SERIES
The Gilford soils are found on outwash materials in depressional areas in
association with Burford and Brisbane soils.
These soils are water-saturated except during the later part of the summer.
However, even at its lowest level the water table is often within six to eight feet
of the surface. This wet condition gives rise to the thick black surface soil of high
organic matter content that is typical of most of the poorly drained soils in
Southern Ontario.
The soil profile has a black surface layer about eight inches thick underlain
by strongly mottled, gray subsoil horizons. The subsoil horizons often contain
lenses of silt and clay. The lower of the two subsoil layers may be more mottled
than the layer above it. Calcareous gravel usually occurs at 24 inches.
Gilford soils are essentially non-arable soils but in some cases can be used as
pasture land. The majority of these soils are covered with bush that provides
excellent cover for wildlife.
CALEDON SERIES
The Caledon soils are well drained and have developed on gravelly materials
that are similar to those of the Burford soils. However, the materials overlying the
gravel are stonefree fine sands.
Caledon soils occur principally in Mulmur and Mono Townships on gently
undulating landscapes where external drainage is moderate and internal drainage
is rapid. Slopes are long and smooth in contrast to the short, steep slopes of the
Caledon soils in Peel County.
Grey-Brown Podzolic soil characteristics are well expressed in the Caledon
soils. The surface soil is very dark grayish brown about three inches thick in
uncultivated areas. On being cultivated a part of the subsurface is mixed with the
surface to form a thicker and lighter surface layer. The Ae horizon is about 24
inches thick, the yellowish brown color becoming lighter with depth. The Bt
horizon is dark brown and is located immediately above the calcareous gravel. The
thickness of the profile is remarkably uniform at 36 to 40 inches. Gravel and
cobblestones occur only in the subsoil. Except for the occasional field stone on the
surface, the remainder of the soil profile is stonefree.
The Caledon soils are similar to the Burford soils for crop production.
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