SOIL SURVEY
of
MATSQUI MUNICIPALITY AND SUMAS MOUNTAIN
by
G . G . Runka and C . C . Kelley
PRELIMINARY REPORT N0. 6
of the
LOWER FRASER VALLEY SOIL SURVEY
Map Reference :
Soil Map of Matsqui Municipality and Sumas Mountain . Scale : 1" = 2,000 feet . 1964 .
BRITISH COLU?UBIA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
KEL04VNA, B . C .
March, 1964 - i -
C 0 N T E N T S Page
Acknowledgement ...... 1 Introduction ...... 1 How to use a Soil Survey Report ...... 1
DESCRIPTION OF THE AREA :
Location and Extent ...... 2 Community Facilities, Population and Transportation ...... 3 Climate ...... 4
Origin of Soil Forming Deposits ...... 6 Agriculture and Soil Management ...... 8 Soil Mapping and Classification ...... 13
DESCRIPTIONS OF SOILS :
Lowland Regosol Soils ...... 15 Grevell Series ...... 19 Isar Series ...... 20 Monroe Series ...... 22 Lickman Series ...... 24 Fairf ield Series ...... 25 Bates Series ...... 27
Gleysol Soils ...... 29 Prest Series ...... 29 Page Series ...... 31 McElvee Series ...... 33 Sardis Soil Complex ...... 35 Hallert Series ...... 36 Annis Muck ...... 38
Humic Gleysol Soils ...... , ...... 39 Hjorth Series ...... 40 Niven Soil Complex ...... 41 Sim Series ...... 42 Elk Series ...... 44 Hazelwood Series ...... 45
Eluviated Gleysol Soils ...... 47 Beharrel Series ...... 48
Muck Soils ...... 50 Banford Muck ...... 50 Gibson Muck ...... , ...... , ...... 52
Peat Soils ...... 53 Triggs Peat ...... , ...... 54 ii
Page
Upland Acid Brown Forest Soils ...... 56 Bateman Series ...... 56
Concretionary Brown Soils ...... 57 Nicholson Series ...... 58 Abbotsford Series ...... 60
Acid Brown Wooded Soils ...... 62 Whatcom Silt Loam ...... 63 Columbia Series ...... 65 Aldergrove Series ...... 67 Poignant Soil Complex ...... 69 Peardonville Series ...... 70 Laxton Series ...... 71 Marble Hill Series ...... 73 Ryder Series ...... 75 Defehr Series ...... 77 Cox Series ...... 79
Podzol Soils ...... , ...... 80 Lynden Series ...... 81 Custer Series ...... 82
Gleysol Soils ...... 84 Scat Series ...... 84 Lehman Series ...... 86 Calkins Series ...... 87 Cornock Series ...... 89 Ross Series ...... 90
Muck Soils ...... 92 Judson Muck ...... 92
Miscellaneous Land Types : Dykes and Ditches ...... 93 Gravel Pits ...... 93 Lakes, Ponds and Sloughs ...... 93 Rock Outcrops ...... 94 Subdivided Areas ...... 94 Trans-Canada Highway ...... 94
Chemical Analyses ...... 101 Interpretation of Chemical Analyses ...... 105 References ...... 123 Glossary ...... 130 P age
TABLES :
1 . Classification of soils and parent materials ...... 16
2 . Map symbols and acreages of different soils ...... 94
3 . Chemical analyses of lowland snil profiles ...... 108
4 . Chemical analyses of composite samples of lowland soils 113
5 . Chemical analyses of upland soil profiles and composite surface samples ...... 116
Appendix A - Average monthly and annual mean temperatures . 125
Appendix B - Monthly and annual precipitation at Aldergrove 126
Appendix C - Monthly and annual precipitation at Abbotsford Airport ...... , ...... 127
Appendix D - Spring and fall frosts and duration of frost- free periods ...... 128
Appendix E - Average monthly and annual snowfall < ...... 129 - 1 -
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The classification of soils in the Matsqui Municipality - Sumas Mountain areas was undertaken by the Soil Survey Branch, British Columbia Department of Agriculture . Air photos used as field sheets were supplied by the Assessment Commission, Department of Finance . The Air Division, Surveys and Mapping Branch, Department of Lands, Forests and Water Resources, supplied base maps and developed an autopositive from which prints are taken .
Acknowledgement is made to Dr . J . E . Armstrong, Department of Mines and Technical Surveys, Vancouver, for information in regard to surficial deposits, and to farmers and. Department of Agriculture and municipal officials for general information .
Participating soil survey staff were H . A . Luttmerding, L . R . Paynton, T . A . Black, W . W . Bourgeois, T . Witt, and F . W. Kopisch-Obuch . Laboratory analyses was undertaken by V . E . Osbor.ne, J . Cotic, and A . B . Dawson .
INTRODUCTION
The survey of Matsqui Municipality was requested by the Assessment Commissioner, Department of Finance, Victoria . The primary purpose was to continue the evaluation of Lower Fraser Valley soils in relation to rural land assessment . The secondary objective was soil classification for general use . This is part of a series of surveys of municipalities begun in 1956, eventually to cover the Lower Fraser Valley from tidewater to Hope, and to include the Lillooet River Valley . When completed a report on the whole area will be published . To date interim reports and soil maps have been produced of the municipalities of Pitt Meadows, Delta, Surrey, Chilliwack, Sumas, and Matsqui .
Field work began in 1962 and it was completed in 1963 . Field sheets consisted of 9 x 9" air photos, scale 1,320 feet to an inch . A map, "Soil Map of Matsqui Municipality and Sumas Mountain", scale 2,000 feet to an inch, was prepared . Hand tinted copies are supplied to government agencies, but others must obtain the prints at nominal cost from the Department of Agriculture, Victoria, and do their own tinting . Soil descrip- tions, climatic and laboratory data, are included in this report .
HOW TO USE A SOIL SURVEY REPORT
Farmers who have lived in a locality for a long time know the soil distinctions on their farms and on the farms of their immediate neighbors . However, unless they can refer to a soil survey report they cannot compare their soils with those on experimental stations and on other parts of the district where, perhaps, higher yields than those they obtain are reported . - 2 -
The similarities and differences among soils can be studied after a soil map has been made . When comparisons are possible, new techniques that have proved successful can be transferred to the same soil elsewhere or to closely related soils, with the least chance of failure .
To determine the nature of the soils on any farm or other land, it should be located on the soil map . Each kind of soil is marked on the map by a distinctive color and a symbol ; i .e . all soils with the same color and symbol are of the same kind . To find the name of a soil so marked, refer to the map legend . If M :sp means Monroe silt loam or loam, shallow phase, there will be a description of this soil in the report, including its land use .
If a general idea of the whole area is wanted, read the soil descriptions that come under the section, "Descriptions of Soils" . Then study the soil map and notice that different groups of soils tend to occur in different localities . These groupings are likely to be associated with differences in the type of farming or land use .
A newcomer seeking a farm also vaants climatic information and data on schools, churches, highways, railroads, electric services, water supplies, and population . A brief statement about these is given in the section, "General Description of the Area" .
The colors on the soil map are to distinguish the soils from one another, and to show the extent of each soil area . Boundaries between soils vary in width, and generally include a zone with some of the characteristics mixed . Within most soil areas there often are spots occupied by other soilsq which are too small to be separated, or are so intermixed as to be inseparable . Where this occurs the areas are often mapped as a "complex" of two or more different soils .
LOCATION AND EXTENT
The surveyed area comprises 66,006 acres . This includes Matsqui Municipality and about 11,000 acres of the unorganized territory of Sumas Mountain . Matsqui Municipality, incorporated in 1892, extends from the 49th parallel north to the Fraser River . It is bounded on the west by Langley Municipality and on the east by Sumas Municipality and Sumas Mountain . - 3 -
C01t11V1UNITY FACILITIES, POPULATION, AND TRANSPORTATION
The Matsqui Municipal Water System, with 35 .5 miles of mains, supplies most water users . There are also a few smaller systems, such as the lUlt . Lehman Water District, which serve localized areas, and wells and springs provide farm water supplies . In the lowland, irrigation water is obtained by pumping from the Fraser River, and from creeks and ditches . In some parts of the Abbotsford upland, irrigation water is obtained from a water table about 10 to 35 feet deep .
Matsqui is part of School District No . 34, which includes Sumas Municipality and Abbotsford . The schools are adequate, and a bus service is available to most children . There is good medical and dental service, and a combined Matsqui-Sumas- Abbotsford hospital and ambulance . Law enforcement is by munici- pal police and the R .C .M .P .
The population of Matsqui Municipality increased from 10,308 in 1951 to 14,293 in 1961, according to the census (12) . A more rapid growth may occur when new sections of Highway No . 1 are completed . This will make the area accessible to part time farmers, and people employed in Vancouver and New Westminster, who want to live in the country .
The main line of the C . ?T . R ., a branch of the C . P . R . and a railway operated by the B . C . Hydro and Power Authority provide adequate rail transportation . Highway No . 1 gives good road access to Vancouver and the interior . The municipality maintained 129 miles of paved and 75 .6 miles of gravelled roads in 1961 . Bus transportation east and west is available . The Abbotsford Airport is an emergency landing field suitable for commercial and private planes, Electricity and natural gas are supplied by the B . C . Hydro and Power Authority . Telephone and telegraph services are adequate .
Abbotsford is the main distributing centre for the munici- pality . The hamlets of Yatsqui, Clayburn, Bradner, and Plit . Lehman have services which include post offices and minor retail outlets . The village of Aldergrove in the neighboring munici- pality of Langley, serves as a distributing centre for residents of the western section of iVlatsqui Municipality .
PHYSIOGRAPHY AND DRAINAGE
Matsqui Municipality is composed of upland and lowland areas . The west half is a part of the Langley Upland, which has a rolling surface rising to 400 feet or more above sea level . In the southern part is the triangular Abbotsford Upland, which has north-south ridges on its east side that rise 75 to 100 feet above the general surface . Matsqui Prairie is a part of the Fraser Lowland . It occupies the northeast part of the municipality, bounded on the east by Sumas Mountain, which rises to about 3 ;000 feet elevation . The lowland is comparatively flat, with elevations less than 25 feet . Dykes along the south bank of the Fraser River protect the lowland from flooding during the freshet . The eastern part of. Glen Valley is in the northwest corner of the municipality . Glen Valley also is a part of the Fraser Lowland ; the valley sides rise to elevations of 300 feet or more (13) .
The northwest part of the municipality is drained by Nathan Creek, the source of which is on the upland . It drains the Glen Valley flats into the Fraser River . McLennan, Downes and Wilband creeks originate on the upland around P+latsqui Prairie, and Clayburn Creek begins on Sumas Mountain . These creeks flow across Matsqui Prairie, partly in natural and artificial channels, and drain into the Fraser .
The precipitation is absorbed by the permeable upland soils that occur in the southwest part of the municipality . The water surface in gravel pits and in Abbotsford, :Laxton and Judson lakes indicate the elevation of the water table . Fishtrap Creek, which has its source near the drainage divide north of Clearbrook, and flows south across the 49th parallel, is fed chiefly by ground- water .
CLIMATE
The climate is inshore maritime, and strongly influenced by the Coast Mountains, which terminate on the north side of the Fraser River . The most noteworthy feature is the large number of low pressure systems that come inland . These are much more common than incoming highs, particularly in winter . At times they follow one another for weeks or even months, with sQarcely a day between .
The numerous low pressure systems bring much rainfall in winter, when it serves no purpose . The excessive amount of water drains from the upland to the lowland, raising water tables and creating an expensive disposal problem . The only benefit from winter rainfall is renewal of the groundwater reservoir under the upland, but since this has not been exploited to any marked extent the benefit is not important .
In winter, occasional polar air masses cover the southern interior and sometimes drain through tributary valleys into the Lower Fraser Valley . The mecting of polar air with damp, mari- time air is heralded by heavy falls of snow or a silver thaw, followed by low temperatures (11) . -5-
The abundance in winter is followed by a deficiency of rain- fall in summer, particularly in the two important crop growing months of July and August . This condition favors the production of crops that mature early ; it limits the yield of those such as hay, which use the whole growing season . If summer rainfall deficiency could be overcome, the yields of full season crops, and the carrying capacity of pastures, could be increased . This could be accomplished by irrigation .
Temp erature
The nearest meteorological stations are at Abbotsford, Aldergrove and Mission . The one at Aldergrove has been operating only four years . The following table shows the extremes for the periods of records (4) :
Years of Station Maxim Minimum Annual Elevation Record
Aldergrova 97oF loF 48oF 275 feet 4 Abbotsford 100 -6 49 198 16 Mission 100 6 50 185 10
The average monthly temperatures are in appended Table A.
Preci~itation
The records show wide variation of precipitation in every month, but conditions during the five months, May to September, are the most important for crop growth . In these months 42, 46 and 38 percent of the years of record had less than two inches of rainfall per month at Aldergrove, Abbotsford and Mission respectively . For heavy soils the water requirement is about five inches per month durin-- the dry months . With rainfall less efficient than irrigation, there is a deficiency in July and in August, and in some years in May, June or September . More detailed precipitation data are in appended Tables B and C (4) .
Sunshine and Cloud
The frequent low pressure systems that move inland assure cloudiness, particularly in winter . Incoming highs bringing clear skies are more frequent in summer, so there is more sun- shine . In British Columbia, annual sunshine ranges from 937 hours at Prince Rupert (Marine Radio), to 2,207 at Victoria (Gonzales) . In the Lower Fraser Valley the range is from 1,925 at the Vancouver Airport to 1,389 hours at Agassiz . In December, January and February, monthly hours of sunshine are 43, 56 and 88 at Vancouver Airport and 41, 44 and 73 at Agassiz . The figures indicate that the Lower Fraser Valley is one of the most cloudy parts of the province where records are kept .
Frost and Snowfall
The longest frost-free season in Canada occurs in the Pacific Coast area, which includes the Lower Fraser Valley . The frost-free period is about 166 days at Abbotsford . Other frost data is in appended Table D, which shows -that the frost-free period is from 22 to 30 days shorter at Abbotsforc'. Airport than at Chilliwack and Agassiz . Local influences, such as topography, elevations and distance from large bodies of water are probable causes of the shorter frost-free period (11) .
Appended Table E indicates that snowfall increases with distance from tidewater . In 11 years of record, Abbotsford Airport averaged 28 .8 inches of snow . In the same period, the average annual precipitation was 58 .64 inches . Inasmuch as about 10 inches of snow is equal to one of rain, about three inches of precipitation falls as snow .
ORIGIN OF SOIL FORMING DEPOSITS
Matsqui Municipality is divisible into two land forms . These are uplands at 35 to 450 feet elevations, and the lowlands of PJtatsqui Prairie and Glen Valley which are below 35 feet elevation .
The entire municipality is underlain by unconsolidated deposits of Pleistocene or Recent age . These are at least 1,000 feet thick at the 49th parallel and in lJtatsqui Valley (13) . At elevations from 35 to 3,000 feet on Sumas Mountain, such deposits are absent, or up to a few tens of feet thick .
Lowland Soil Forming Materials
These are of post-glacial origin, and were classified as the Salish Group (13) . The Salish Group consists of the following :
1) Fraser FloodTlain Deposits
The recent floodplains are composed of silty clay, silt and sand up to 20 feet thick, with sand substrata . On the inner margin of the floodplain, the fine textured sediments were deposited in large, shallow ponds .
Closer to the river there were meander channels, which were a part of the river in the flood stage . Sedimentation spread from these by lateral accretion . The natural levees along the channels have sandy and silty textures, though related or nearby hollows have heavier texture . 2) Swamp or Bog Deposits
Swamp or bog deposits of peat and muck overlie sections along the inner margins of the floodplain . As a rule the bogs are supplied .with water seeping from the groundwater reservoir under the upland, and in their later stages at least, they became seepage bogs . Another form of peat deposit occurs where a pond on the floodpain was gradually filled by peat which grew toward the centre from the surrounding shore .
The organic deposits average from two to three feet thick, but in places they attain depths of eight feet or more . Bogs which have been cultivated are probably thinner than they were in the natural state . In many places silts and clays carried in during flood stages of the river were deposited on the organic material, thus increasing its value for agriculture .
3) Fans and Slopewash Deposits
Alluvial fans and colluvial slopewash occur near the boun- dary of the lowland and upland, and minor areas of soils are derived from them . These materials have a range of textures .
In addition to the soil-forming materials mentioned in 1) to 3) above, sediments deposited by streams which meander across the lowland are the parent materials of some minor soil types .
Upland Soil Forming Deposits
The materials from which the upland soils are derived are older than those of the lowland . They consist of glacio-marine, glacial till, glacio-fluvial and glaciolacustrine deposits mantled by a variable thickness of silty loess . The loess thins out in the, western half of the municipality, and its identifica- tion becomes uncertain . These materials, which belong to the Sumas Group (13), are described as follows :
1) Whatcom Glacio-marin e Deposits
These are composed of stony silty clay, clay, silt, and sand from 25 to 300 feet thick . ~ In scattered areas there is an overlay of Sumas Till, usually less than five feet thick.
The glacio-marine deposits, which resemble till, are thought to have been formed from ice which contained debris that was pushed off shore when a part of an ice-sheet . The outer areas of this ice were afloat . As the ice melted the released materials rained through the seawater and settled on the bottom . It is identified as glacio-marine by the remains of clams and other sea animals of arctic and subarctic species in the deposits . - 8 -
2) Sumas Til1
This till consists of a compact, unsorted mixture of stones, sand, silt, clay, and substratified drift or outwash from five to 35 feet thick . The till is covered by a variable thickness of loess, which ranges from none at all to about 12 feet thick . In the Sumas Mountain area the till is underlain by Mesozoic granites and volcanics .
3) Abbotsford Outwash
The Abbotsford Outwash consists of glacio-fluvial recessional deposits, which include pitted or kettled sand and gravel up to 125 feet thick . In some places the sand is duned, the dunes being up to 25 feet thick . The outwash area has a variable loess mantle from none at all to about three feet thick .
An inclusion with the Abbotsford Outwash consists of ice- contact sand and gravel deposits containing lenses of glacio- marine silty clay and till. These may have a thickness up to-50 feet or more . A cover of loess can be identified in scattered areas .
4) Glaciolacustrine D eposits
These materials which are of minor occurrence, consist chiefly of stratified silty clay, silt, fine sand and some minor coarse sand and gravel . The deposits occur on the rim of the upland, above Matsqui Prairie .
Huntington Gravels, assigned to the Capilano Group (13), are soil parent materials in minor areas . These gravels are generally mantled by the Swmas Group, hence they occur at the surface only in places where the Sumas materials have been removed by erosion .
In the mapped section of Sumas Mountain, the Mesozoic granites and volcanics are exposed, or within 25 feet of the sur- face . Where bedrock is not exposed, the overlay is composed of glacial and glacio-fluvial materials .
The relationship of the soils to the geological soil- forming deposits is shown in Table 1 .
AGRICULTURE AND SOIL MANAGEMENT
In Matsqui the agriculture is probably more diverse than in any other municipality in the Lower Fraser Valley . The lowland is noteworthy for dairying, with small areas devoted to blue- berries, strawberries, raspberries, rhubarb, and vegetables . On the upland there are large areas in small fruits, bulbs, vege- tables and dairying . Poultry and fur farming are also important on the upland .
Soil drainage, irrigation, liming and fertilization influence soil productivity . A combination of these management procedures is necessary for economic crop production :
1) Soil Drainage
In the lowlanc. area, drainage is the most influential factor in regard to soil rating and classification . During high water on the Fraser River, from about May 20 to June 5 each year, the low lying land near the dykes may be flooded, and land slightly above this level may have a high water table . The extent of the flooding from river seepage and from creeks is dependent on the height of the freshet . The level of an abnormal freshet may be 10 feet or more higher than that of an average one .
Matsqui Prairie is protected by dykes, but in places, seepage comes under them at high water, and low areas near the river are inundated . In the Matsqui Dyking District, Clayburn, Wilband, and Page creeks drain into Pdlatsqui Slough, from which water is pumped into the Fraser . MeLennan Creek flows into Gifford Slough, which takes the water from the southwest corner of the dyking district . The water is pumped into the Fraser River from the mouth of this slough . The movement of water in the creeks and sloughs is sluggish, owing to the almost flat gradient . Flooding can occur in periods of heavy rain, because runoff is not fast enough .
Glen Valley is not protected by a dyke and property owners do not pay a dyking tar. . The C . N . R . grade affords protection south of it, but when flooding is above average, the railway grade is not adequate .
The section of Glen Valley in NIatsqui Municipality is drained chiefly by Nathan Creek, but this creek has a f lattish gradient, and the flow is not fast enough to prevent flooding when rainfall is heavy . In Glen Valley and on Matsqui Prairie an improvement of drainage works is needed in order to help individual farm drainage . The cleaning and straightening of the natural water courses would increase the speed of runoff, but it would not prevent some of the flooding .
Upland drainage is not as important as on the lowland . Poorly drained depressions and seepage slopes are common, but most occupy less than an acre . Many depressions can be drained by tile or open ditch at small cost . Seepages can often be drained by an intercepting ditch or line of tile bottomed on the impervious layer which is the cause of the saturation . Where depressions are in glacio-marine deposits or till, they could be - 10 - deepened, ponded, and the water used for irrigation .
Farm drainage should be planned for rapid removal of water from the rooting zone, but the water table should be maintained at levels that would aid crop growth . To assess the best height for the water table, it is necessary to understand the soil type and its effect on degrees of saturation, internal drainage, workability and temperature relationships .
It is also important to know the characteristics of plants to be grown, particularly in regard to their rooting habits . For lowland soils with fluctuating water tables, underdrainage should remove water to a 24 inch depth, but the rate of removal is related to the rate of infiltration . Thus, it is important to know how faSt water can and should be removed from each soil type . The levels of district drainage should be related to the needs of individual farm drainage .
The Land Clearing Assistance Act, administered by the Provincial Department of Agriculture, was amended in 1959 to provide loans to farmers who want to undertake individual farm drainage . M . G . Driehuyzen, Department of Agriculture, Box 356, Cloverdale, is available to farmers in the Lower Fraser Valley, to provide advice in regard tc land drainage : This includes tile spacing for different soils, tile depth, ditch construction, and other problems related to drainage .
Farmers have financial losses due to poor drainage, inasmuch as high water tables and flooding kill or restrict the growth of crops and reduce the effectiveness of lime and fertilizer applica- tions . Low soil temperatures due to saturation reduce phosphorus and nitrogen availability . Water table fluctuations leach the surface soil, resulting in loss of calcium and nitrogen and perhaps other nutrients .
High water tables have a marked effect in the early part of the growing season by slowing root growth when top growth is vigorous . Under these conditions pasturing or harvesting reduces plant vigor and yield . A high water table or even inun- dation has no serious effect on most plants if it is of short duration, but if prolonged, severe damage is done . It also is the cause of poor aeration, indifferent germination, slow growth, uneven maturity, and poor quality and yield .
The following is a partial list of crops grown in Matsqui Municipality that require water tables 24 to 30 inches deep (6) : - 11 -
Drained to 24 Inches Drained to 30 Inches
Pasture Beets Corn Blueberries Turnips Lettuce Parsley Strawberries Cereals Radish Raspberries (Newburgh) Raspberries Spinach Beans Mangels Squash Cabbage Bulbs Brussels sprouts Peas Cauliflower Potatoes Most Nursery Stock
Internal drainage, soil permeability and the need for arti- ficial drainage is discussed where necessary in the sections that describe the cifferent soils .
2) Irrigation
Irrigation is necessary in a summer-dry climate, regardless of the amount of total precipitation . The dry summers are responsible for moisture deficiency during the most important crop growing months . Pasture, for example, provides adequate grazing until the end of June, then declines in the July - August drought .
An estimated 15 inches of water is required for hay and pasture during the growing season ; 11 inches should be available from July 1 to September 30 . Rainfall at Abbotsford totals about 12 inches from May to September 30, with about six inches from July 1 to the end of September . Though such averages indicate deficiency, they mask annual variations which cause the shortages to be more acute than they show . The actual deficien- cies that occur should be insured by provision for irrigation as required . The variations from year to year in the time of record are shown in appended Tables B and C .
A source of water for irrigation may be a problem in parts of the lowland that lie at a distance from sloughs and creeks, or where wells do not give substantial flows . For the lowland, however, the Fraser could supply all the water required . The river water has a pH value of about 7 .5, which would help to neutralize the soil and thus eliminate the need of liming, in addition to supplying moisture .
On part of the upland, particularly in the area of Abbotsf ord Outwash on the south side of the municipality, water for irrigation is obtainable from wells or f rcm bulldozed scoop- outs from 10 to 20 feet deep . At the time of the survey (1963), this source of water was not used to full advantage, much of the area being uncultivated because the soils are droughty without irrigation . On upland areas underlain by glacio-marine deposits the natural reservoir is in interglacial fine sands at greater depths and more difficult to tap . However, in these areas sur- face and seepage water in limited amounts could be stored in scoop-outs or dammed depressions and used to irrigate small fruits . Wherever water for irrigation is available, the cost of a system would be repaid by the increased crop yields .
3) The Use of Lime and Fertilizers
Lime and fert; .lizer requirements of different soils, and on different farms hat ing the same soil, should be determined by the crops grown and the past history and performance of the farm . No standard recommE-ndationti are possible because of soil varia- tion, crops grown ;snd management status of the farms . The ?mounts and kinds of fertilizers to apply for different crops should be discussed with the District Agriculturist or District Horticul- turist, Court House :, Abbotsford .
It was observed during the survey that a wide range of fertilizers were in use, and these were being applied at dif- ferent rates . Thi :~ indicated a lack of agreement as to fertili- zer practice among farmers . Many applications were inadequate, and in a few cases too much fertilizer was applied . A few farmers conducted their own fertilizer experiments with good results, particularly when the land is irrigated .
Response to lime was limited in some cases, but response to nitrogen was generally good . Other elements gave varying degrees of crop response, often related to the kind of crop grown .
4) Land Clearing and Lev e llin g
a) Lowland
When levelling lowland soils, care should be taken where there are sandy strata in the subsoil not to bring sand to the surface and thus decrease moisture-holding capacity . On exposure of the underlying, sand, soil fertility is reduced and heavy applications of organic matter and fertilizer are neces- sary before satisfac:4ory crop growth is again obtained . Under good conditions for it, levelling makes cultural practice easier by filling depressions and thus eliminating wet spots . Where land is drained atid irrigated, and drougrty conditions eliminated, levelling has the advantage of enabling farmers to utilize machinery with the greatest convenience .
b) Upland
Levelling of the upland soils can do so much damage to them that it should not be done at all unless the greatest care is taken . These soils should not be levelled by bulldozing the solum into hollows and exposing the parent materials, which are sterile and in some cases impervious,
In the case of coarse textured sola, stones may be exposed and water-holding capacity reduced . Where the substratum con- sists of glacio-marine or till deposits, this hard, impervious material is often exposed, and five years or more of intensive treatment with cultivation, organic matter and fertilizer may be required before satisfactory growth can be obtained . Where levelling must be done, tile first foot or more of soil should be moved to one side, the land levelled ; and the soil replaced .
A considerable acreage suitable for clearing and cultivation still exists on the Matsqui upland, Before land clearing is undertaken, particularly by heavy machinery, the expected returns in relation to clearing cost should be estimated .
SOIL MAPPIN G AND CLASS IFICATION
Field Methods
The soils of Matsqui Municipality were mapped in detail at a scale of 1,320 feet to an inch, Those on Sumas Mountain were mapped on a reconnaissance scale of 2,640 feet to an inch . Air photos were used as field sheets, and the classification data was plotted upon them,
Test pits, road and railway cuts, and other excavations were used to examine soil profiles, to identify them, to sample them for laboratory analyses, and to obtain profile descriptions . The profiles were studied to determine texture, structure, consistence, permeability, drainage, and other observable features in the environment of each soil-forming deposit .
Soil boundaries were found and established by bisecting them on roads and by traverses across fields . Soil colors were identified by use of the Munsell Color System (15) .
Soil Classification
Soils develop from soil-forming deposits in response to the local environment . The kind of soil thus formed depends on the nature of the parent material, the length of time the genetic process has been operative, and the intensity of weathering . The speed of weathering is related to the amount of precipitation, the temperature, texture, topogr .:Lphy, drainage, and other environ- mental factors . The soil survey identifies the product and separates the different soils by means of a syatem of classifica- tion .
On the basis of age and origin, the soils in Matsqui Municipality are divisible into upland and lowland categories . The upland soils are derived chiefly from older and often coarser materials than those of the lowland . There is also a mantle of silty loess on the eastern part of the upland . The thickness of this deposit decreases westward across the munici- pality . In the eastern section the soil sola have developed in the loess, whereas to the west the underlying deposits become the parent materials of the weathered part of the soil profile .
The lowland soils are derived from more or less recently deposited river alluvium, and mainly they are finer textured than those of the upland . The alluvial materials were transported from the interior of the province, and it is of interest to note that such materials are commonly calcareous . Not more than 100 years ago the Fraser was depositing limey silts and clays on Matsqui Prairie . Though the free lime may have leached since then, the soil chemistry may still be influenced by calcium, and this is one of the ways in which they differ from the upland soils . The weathering of the lowland soils has been delayed by poor drainage .
The basic mapping unit is the soil series . A soil series consists of a group of related soils derived from similar parent materials having similar drainage, topography and profile charac- teristics except for surface texture . Areas having variable surface textures, but otherwise the same, are distinguished as subdivisions of a soil series, called _soil types . Areas of a series in which surface texture does not vary are also mapped as soil types . Soil types are distinguished by the name of the series (e .g . Abbotsford) and the texture of the surface soil (e .g . gravelly loam), the full name of the soil type being Abbotsford gravelly loam . The series names usually are place names in the locality in which a soil series was originally classified .
Phases of a soil series may also be distinguished . These are based on variations within a series of topography, stoniness, drainage, depth of profile (e .g . if sand is encountered within 18 inches depth in a fine textured soil, it is classed as a shallow phase) or other feature that may affect land use .
In some cases it is not feasible to separate two or more soil series, owing to small areas or intimate intermixing with one another . Such areas are mapped as soil complexes . Where two or more soil series have been described separately, the name of the complex consists of the names of the series of which it is composed . Such names are hyphenated (e .g . Banford-Gibson soil complex) ; the name of the series occupying the major acreage comes first and the other names follow in the same order .
The soil series are classed in subgroups according to the pedologic development which signifies their genetic relationship to one another . The soil subgroups in the lowland of Matsqui Municipality are Orthic Regosol, Mull Regosol, Gleyed Mull Regosol, Rego Gleysol, Peaty Rego Gleysol, Rego Humic Gleysol, Orthic Humic Gleysol, Humic Eluviated Gleysol, Muck and Peat soils . On the upland the subgroups are Orthic Acid Brown Forest, Orthic Concretionary Brown,Orthic Acid Brown Wooded, Gleyed Acid Brown Wooded, Degraded Acid Brown Wooded, Minimal Podzol, Gleyed Ortstein Podzol, Rego Gleysol, Rego Humic Gleysol, and Muck soils (lE3) .
The above sequences of lowland and upland soils, including the geological materials from which they are derived, are given in Table 1 . Short descriptions of the observable characteristics of the pedologic subgroups head more detailed soil descriptions in this report .
DESCRIPTIONS OF SOILS
Lowland Soils
REGOSOL SOILS
Regosols are mineral soils which lack observable horizons or have only a very weakly developed Ah horizon . An L-H horizon less than 12 inches thick may be present .
In Matsqui Municipality Regosols occur on the most recently deposited alluvium of the Fra.ser River and local streams . Drainage may be from rapid to imperfect . Orthic, Mull and Gleyed Mull subgroups were found .
Orthic Regosol Soils
This subgroup consists of mineral soils having little or no profile development . The soils lack observable horizons or have very weakly developed Ah horizons . Under forest an L-H horizon less than six inches thick may be present, The profile is not visibly gleyed .
In Matsqui these soils occur on recently deposited alluvium . Drainage is from well drained to rapidly drained . Natural vege- tation varies from none at all to moderately heavy deciduous growth . The Orthic Regosols in the mapped area are the Grevell and Isar series .
Mul l Regosol Soils
The Mull Regosols are mineral .soils whose profile develop- ment is restricted to a distinct Ah horizon . Little or no L-H horizon is present, and there is no visible gley.
In the mapped area these soils occur on recently deposited alluvium, and they are moderately well to well drained . The ~ able 1 - CLASSIFIC:TIOPd OF SOILS A..dD PAREMT :JnTEriI1'~LS IIT i1[ATS0I :wiU:dICIPtiLITY .12TD ON SLT:1AS L`OUidTAI:T
L«FdLAND SOILS SOIL SUBGROUPS ` i Gleyed ~ ~ Peaty j Rego ; Orthic ' Humic ; j Parent ~ Orthic ~ Mull ! ~+ull ; Regc ~ Regc- j Humic ; Humic ~ Eluviated ~ i - _ Materials Regnsol 'Rego sol i Regc sol - ~ Glcysc 1 Glcyec~l ~ Gleysol E Gleysol , Gleyscl ~ Mluek Peat (
1 .' codplain ~ j I-~~t.osit s ; ( Grevc:ll 1~ _Acnrce f Fairf ield ~ Prest kjorth ~' Hazelw_ -d ; Beharrel f i Aeral and ; 1 Page + Areztical .~(,-creticn i :c-lc odplain I:ej osits ` O~~ E rlying and ~Iallert 7iven ' ( ~ complex f , i : Lzcd in ,I S,cEmp pcsits - ' Lickman ~ Bates ' iJcElvc o Sim 1--cal Stream i Sardis Lepcsits , ccmplex
Illuvial- f C .lluvial Fan ~ Isar ~ ~ Elk Depcsits
~.~.iallew Swamp j : is , L .-;posits
amp Banford ` Triggs ~ L :)posits ~ ! ~ ~ ~ ~ lll Gibson j ( I , Table 1 - Continued
UPLAND SOILS SOIL SURI3GROUPS jOrthic Orthic ! Gleyed Degraded 2 a Acid Concre- Acid Acid Gleyed 4 ~ Rego Parent jBrown ticnary Orthic Acid Brown Brown Minimal OrtstRin Rego ( Humic Materials ~'crest Brown Brown Wooded Wooded Wooded Pcdzol Podzcl Gleysol IGleyscl iuiuck
( + E Glac3o-Marine tdichclson rVhatcom ~ I Scat De~,csits 1
Glacial Columbia Zynden Outwash t Shallow Y Glacial i Outwash over Aldergrove Glecio-Marine Derosits
Shallow Loess Pc~ignant Ccx Debris, Till, ccmplex over Bedrock
Shallow Loess Mixed with Abbctsfcrd Def ehr Custer Lehman Qutwash cr as Overlay E
Shallow Loess I over Peardonville t Contact e Deposits ; { Table 1 - Ccntinued
U-.,LA~?h SOILS
SOIL SUBGROUPS Orthic + Orthic {` ~ Gleyed ~ Degraded ~ a C` I Acid ` Conc.rc- f ncid . ( Acid ~ Gleye~. { Regc PParent Ii Isrovin j tionary t` Orthic Acid ~ Brown ~ Brown 1'+.inimal ~ Ortstein ~ ~sc -c IiLUnic :e,7ateri,als Forest i Brown lLrcwn ~'+ocded ~ a~ooded ~ b';ooded Pcdzol ~ Podzcl ~ Gleysol ~ Gleyscl ,~ Muck
:.aallcw Loes I ~ ~ I ~ I cvE r Sand ~ ! Laxton } ~ f~ r ~ ; ! Dun e s i ~ ~ 1= F I j ~ i j
Rateman ~ I.I Hill Dec p Zcess ~ Cal~~ins p ' Ryder ' - Srzllow ` Floodplainc :Er Glacial ~ Cornock Cutwash , itream ~ Sardis i Ross Zeposits complex
S~ amp Deposits I native vegetation consists chiefly of deciduous growth . The Monroe and Lickman series are Mull Regosols .
Gleyed Mull Regos ol Soils
These are composed of mineral soils with a distinct Ah hori- zon and a weakly gle,yed and mottled subsoil . Drainage is imper- fect . In the surveyed area, the Gleyed Mull Regosols occupy recently deposited Fraser River and local stream sediments . Ori- ginally they had forest cover . Their representatives are the Fairf ield and Bates series .
Orthic Regosol Soils
GREVELL SERIES
These soils are derived from the more recent deposits on the Fraser River floodplain . They are located in the northern part of the mapped area close to the Fraser River, at from 10 to 15 feet elevations . A total of 83 acres were mapped as Grevell Series, and in addition there are a Grevell-Fairfield (shallow phase) complex, 57 acres, and a Grevell-Monroe (shallow phase) complex, 44 acres . The Fairfield and Monroe soils have the shallow phases .
The alluvial parent material was accumulated by lateral accretion deposited in a direction away from the river . The resulting topography is undulating to gently rolling with slopes from three to nine percent . The subsoil is composed of sand which is interstratified with materials of finer texture . Sur- face textures vary from medium sand to sandy loam, and the soils occupy rapidly drained to well drained positions .
These soils are Orthic Regosols, with little or no profile development . Soil reactions are from neutral at the surface to slightly alkaline at depths, owing to proximity to the river .
Areas that still have native vegetation contain a growth of cottonwood, sandbar willow, Pacific willow, sitka alder, vine maple, timbleberry, twinberry, red-osier dogwood, and a few herbs and weeds . An undisturbed profile about 300 feet northeast of the Lefeuvre and River road junction was described as follows :
Depth Horizon Inches Descrip tion
L-H 2- 0 Undecomposed grass and forest litter . pH 7 .0 .
Cl 0- 9 Gray (l0YR 6/1, dry) or dark-gray to gray (10YR 4/1 - 5/1, moist) medium sand . Single- grained . Loose when moist . Roots common . pH 7 .2 . Abrupt boundary : - 20 -
Depth Horizon Inches Description
C2 9-12 Light brownish gray (l0YR 6/2, dry) or grayish-brown (l0YR 5/2, moist) loamy fine sand, Weak, fine subangular blocky struc- ture . Loose when moist . Occasional roots . pH 7 " 3 " Abrupt boundary :
Cgj 12-22 Gray (l0YR 6/1, dry) or brown to yellowish- brown (l0YR 5/3 - 5/4, moist) medium sand . Single-grained . Loose when moist . A few, fine, faint mottles . Occasional roots . pH 7 .4 . Abrupt boundary :
C3 22+ Light brownish gray (l0YR 6/2, dry) or ray to grayish-brown (l0YR 5/1 - 5/2, moist~ medium sand . Single-grained . Loose when moist . pH 7 .4 .
Land Use
The Grevell series and associated complexes occur in small, scattered areas, all of which have the same utilization . These soils have low moisture-holding and cation exchange capacities, due to coarse texture . There is low organic matter content and ability to hold nutrients .
These soils are droughty for dry farming ; supplemental irri- gation is required . Levelling of undulations is not recommended inasmuch as this would expose coarser material and cover areas of the associated soils (Monroe and P'airfield) with sandy material .
Manuring and sod crops are required to supply organic matter, and the use of complete fertilizer is recommended . Vegetative growth is important in pasture, and for silage and hay . When moisture is adequate such growth is restricted if the soil is lacking in nitrogen . Owing to leaching in winter, fertilizers should be applied in the spring . This soil series is probably best suited for pasture, but with irrigation and the good drainage, it could produce small fruits .
ISAR SERIES
The Isar series is derived from coarse textured alluvial- colluvial fans . The materials of which they are composed eroded from Sumas Mountain and Abbotsford glacial outwash . The topo- graphy is gently to very steeply sloping . The slnpes vary from 30 to 40 percent at the fan apex and decline to from two to three percent on the fan apron . The areas occupied by the series are small and usually near the apex of the fans . At from 20 to 60 feet elevations, 242 acres were mapped as Isar series, and 45 as an Isar-Elk soil complex .
The parent materials are composed of coarse alluvial- colluvial debris surfaced by a thin covering of finer texture . Surface and subsurface textures vary from gravelly loamy sand and sandy loam on the higher parts of the fans to gravelly loam and loam lower down .
The rapidly to well drained Isar soils are Orthic Regosols . The native vegetation is composed of alder, willows, thimbleberry, salmonberry, grasses, and weeds . An undisturbed profile was given the following description :
Depth Horizon Inches Descripti on
L-H 2- 0 Forest litter composed of leaves, twigs and other debris, relatively undecomposed .
C1 0- 4 Dark grayish brown (l0YR 4/2, moist) sandy loam . Weak, medium subangular blocky struc- ture . Very friable when moist . Occasional pockets of sand and scattered gravel . Fine roots abundant . pH 6 .0 . Abrupt boundary :
C2 4-13 Grayish-brown (l0YR 5/2, moist) gravelly sandy loam, with pockets of finer texture . Weak, medium subangular blocky structure . Very friable to loose when moist . Occa- sional roots . pH 5 .8 . Abrupt boundary :
C3 13+ Gravelly sand and angular gravel . Loose when moist . Alternate lenses or strata of finer texture . Occasional roots .
L d Use
The rapidly to well drained, rather coarse textured Isar soils are droughty without irrigation . The soil areas are used chiefly for rough pasture and as sites for buildings . Owing to the many small, scattered areas, these soils are not important for agriculture . - 22 -
Mull Regosol Soils
MONROE SERIES
The Monroe soils are derived from floodplain deposits of the Fraser River. The classified areas are near the north boundary of the municipality and the Fraser. The topography is undulating to gently rolling ; slopes are from three to 10 percent . The undulations are ridge- and- swale, with bars and meander scrolls . The Monroe soils are on the ridge-tops, the Fairf ield soils on the slopes and the Page and Prest series are in the swales . Elevations lie between 12 and 23 feet . The mapped areas are as follows :
Monroe series (shallow phase) 62 acres Monroe (shallow phase)-Monroe complex 1451 " Monroe-Monroe (shallow phase) complex 120 " Monroe-Fairfield complex 128 Monroe-Fairfield-Monroe (shallow phase) complex 542 " Monroe (shallow phase)-Fairf ield complex 981 "
The parent material was deposited by lateral accretion away from the Fraser and inundated channels . Profile textures are very fine sandy loam to silt loam, with minor variation to silty ; clay loam. At depths the strata often have coarser textures than at the surface ; where necessary a shallow phase was separated .
The Mull Regosol Monroe soils are moderately well to Well drained, but faint mottling in the deep phase was found in'places . The soil is medium acid at the surface and slightly acid at depths . There is some accumulation of organic matter in the sur- face horizon . Scattered areas in the native state supportl cottonwood, maple, alder and birch, and scattered Douglas fir, cedar and hemlock . The shrubs and ground cover include black- berry, thimbleberry, salmonberry, nettles, thistle, and grasses . A cultivated profile about 600 feet southeast of the Beharrel- Sim road junction was described as follows : '
Depth Horizon Inches Description j
Ap 0- 8 Grayish-brown (l0YR 5/2 - 5/3, dry) or dark grayish brown (10YR 4/2, moist) silt ~oam. Weak, medium subangular blocky structure . Friable when moist . Roots abundant . 'pH 5 .9 . Abrupt boundary :
C 8-12 Pale-brown (l0YR 6/3, dry) or dark-br~von to brown (l0YR 4/3 - 5/3, moist) silty clay loam. Moderate, medium subangular blocky structure . Firm when moist . Occasional roots . pH 6 .1 . Clear boundary : -23-
Depth Horizon Inches Description
CIIC 12-14 Light brownish gray to pale-brown (6/2 - 6/3, dry) or dark-brown to brown (l0YR 4/3 - 5/3~ moist) silt loam. Weak, fine subangular blocky structure . Friable when moist . Occasional roots . pH 6 .3 . Abrupt boundary :
1101 14-22 Variegated fine sand . Single-grained . Loose when moist . Roots common near top of horizon . pH 6 .6 . Abrupt boundary :
IIC2 22-25 Variegated medium sand . Single-grained . Loose when moist . Occasional roots . pH 6 .8 . Abrupt boundary :
IIC3 25-30 Pale-brown to light yellowish brown (l0YR 6/3 - 6/4, dry) or pale-brown (l0YR 6/3, moist) loamy fine sand . Weak, medium suban- gular blocky structure . Very friable when moist . pH 6 .5 . Abrupt boundary :
IIC4 30+ Variegated fine sand . Single-grained . Loose when moist . A few fine, faint mottles . pH 6 .6 .
Land Use
The Monroe soils and their associated complexes are used chiefly to produce hay, pasture and silage . Drainage is no problem. These soils are perhaps the best in the lowland for small fruits . The water table is low enough, particularly in the shallow phase, to permit the soil to warm up, and eliminate root rots in strawberries and other small fruits . Inasmuch as the relief is undulating to gently rolling, the Monroe soils are not well suited to peas or other crops that require uniformity of maturity .
In places levelling has been done, but this is not recommended if sand would be brought to the surface . Supplementary irrigation at comparatively short intervals is essential for optimum yields . Cover crops should be used when possible in small fruit production . Root penetration is good in these soils, and cultivation is relatively easy . , - 24 -
LICKMAN SERIES
The Lickman soils are derived from the deposits of Clayburn, McLennan and Downes creeks, which drain Sumas Mountain and the upland . The soils are adjacent to the creeks, which meander across Matsqui Prairie to the Fraser River .
Though the topography has wide variation, it is mainly undu- lating, with slopes from two to six percent . The Lickman soils, which occupy the better drained positions, are associated with the Bates, McElvee and Sim series . The elevations are from 15 to 50 feet . The mapped areas are as follows :
Lickman (shallow phase)-Lickman complex 31 acres Lickman (shallow phase)-McElvee complex 31 " Lickman-Bates complex 79
The parent material was deposited during overflow of the natural levees at flood stages of the creeks . The deposits are underlain in most places by those of the Fraser at depths from 20 to 48 inches . The surface textures are chiefly silt loam and loam, with minor areas of sandy loam . The shallow phase was mapped where sand was encountered within 18 inches of the surface .
These moderately well to well drained Mull Regosols have good root penetration . On uncleared areas the vegetation is composed of cottonwood, alder, maple, vine maple, blackberry, nettles, white dutch clover, and grasses . A cultivated profile, about 600 feet west of the McLennan Creek - Bates Road junction, was described as follows :
Depth Horizon Inches Descript ion
Ap 0- 7 Brown to pale-brown (l0YR 5/3 - 6/3 dry) or dark grayish brown (l0YR 4/2, moistj silt loam . Moderate, fine subangular blocky breaking to medium granular structure . Friable when moist . Roots common . pH 6 .3 . Clear boundary :
Cl 7-17 Light yellowish brown (l0YR 6/4, dry) or brown to pale-brown (l0YR 5/3 - 6/3, moist) loamy fine sand . Weak, fine subangular blocky structure . Very friable when moist . Roots common . pH 6 .1 . Abrupt boundary :
02 17-22 Pale-brown (l0YR 6/3, dry) or brown (l0YR 5/3, moist) fine sandy loam . Weak, fine subangular blocky structure . Very friable when moist . Occasional roots . pH 5 .7 . Abrupt boundary : -25-
Depth Horizon Inches DescriRtion
Cgj 22-28 Light-gray (l0YR 7/2, dry) or brown (l0YR 5/3, moist) loam . Weak, medium subangular blocky structure . Common, fine, faint yellowish-brown (l0YR 5/6, moist) mottles . Friable when moist . Occasional roots . pH 5 " 7 . Gradual boundary :
C g 28+ Light-gray (l0YR 7/2, dry) or grayish-brown (l0YR 5/2, moist) sandy loam . Massive . Friable when moist . Common, fine (l0YR 5/6 - 5/8, moist) mottles . pH 5 .8 .
Land Use
The uses of the Lickman soils are similar to those of the Monroe series, except that the associated soils are imperfectly drained . This limits the production of crops susceptible to a high or fluctuating water table .
Irrigation is necessary in the dry season, particularly on the shallow phase, owing to its low moisture-holding capacity . Root penetration is good and macro-porosity is high .
Gle,yed Mull Regosol Soils
FAIRFIELD SERIES
This series is derived from Fraser f loodplain deposits . The classified areas are in the northern section of the munici- pality, near the Fraser River.
The average topography is undulating with slopes from two to five percent . The undulations are ridge- and swale-like, with the Fairf ield soils chiefly on the ridge slopes . The associated soils are the Monroe, Page, Prest, and Hjorth series . The eleva- tions ure from 12 to 22 feet above mean sea level . The following soils were mapped :
Fairfield series 245 acres Fairfield-Page complex 301 " Fairfield-Monroe complex 262 " Fairf ield-Monroe-Page complex 438 Fairf ield-Monroe-Monroe (shallow phase) complex 444 " Fairf ield-Monroe (shallow phase) complex 115 " Fairfield-Hjorth complex 209 i' Fairf ield (shallow phase)-Prest (shallow phase) -Grevell complex 52 -26-
The parent material consists of lateral accretions deposited by the Fraser during flood stages . The Fairf ield series has a range of surface textures from silt loam to silty clay loam . At depths greater than 24 inches coarser textures are often found . Scattered areas having sandy material within 18 inches of the surface were mapped as a shallow phase .
These imperfectly drained soils have a fluctuating water table during most of the year . At high water on the Fraser the water table rises through the sand strata beneath the soil profile . In winter the rainfall is removed slowly, wetting the soil for long periods . The soils have moderate permeability and good root penetration . They are medium acid at the surface and more basic at depths .
The Fairfield soils are Gleyed Mull Regosols which developed under a cover of cottonwood, alder, maple, vine maple, blackberry, thimbleberry, salmonberry, raspberry, rose, salal, nettles, and grasses . A cultivated profile was examined about 600 feet north of the intersection of Sim and Kelleher roads, and given the following description :
Depth Horizon Inches Description
Ap 0- 9 Grayish-brown (l0YR 5/2, dry) or dark-gray to dark grayish brown (l0YR 4/1 - 4/2, moist) silt loam . Moderate, medium subangular blocky breaking to medium granular structure . Friable when moist . Roots common . pH 5 .4 . Abrupt boundary :
Cgjl 9-14 Pale-brown (10YR 6/3, dry) or grayish-brown (l0YR 5/2, moist) silty clay loam . Moderate, medium subangular blocky structure . A few fine ., faint mottles . Firm when moist . Occasional roots . pH 5 .5 . Gradual boundary :
Cgj2 14-22 Pale-brown to very pale brown (l0YR 6/3 - 7/3, dry) or grayish-brown (l0YR 5/2, moist) silt loam . Moderate, medium subangular blocky structure . Common, medium yellowish-brown (l0YR 5/6, moist) mottles . Firm when moist . Occasional roots . pH 5 .8 . Diffuse boundary :
Cgj3 22-32 Pale-brown to very pale brown (l0YR 6/3 - 7/3, dry) or dark grayish brown to grayish-brown (l0YR 4/2 - 5/2, moist) silty clay loam . Massive . Common medium yellowish-brown (l0YR 5/4, moistj mottles . Very firm when moist . pH 5 .8 . Gradual boundary : -27-
Depth Horizon Inches Description
Cgj4 32-39 Pale-brown (l0YR 6/3, dry) or grayish-brown (l0YR 5/2, moist) very fine sandy loam . Weak, medium pseudo-subangular blocky struc- ture . Common, fine yellowish-brown (l0YR 5/6, moist) mottles . Friable when moist . pH 5 .8 . Abrupt boundary :
IIC 39+ Fine sand of variegated colors . Single- grained . A few fine, faint mottles . Loose when moist . pH 6 .2 .
Land Use
The Fairf ield soils and associated ones are used chiefly for hay, pasture and silage . There are difficulties of management, due to the undulating topography, because moisture relationships vary from ridges to hollows . These soils are unsuitable when even crop maturity is required .
Though the Fairf ield soils are imperfectly drained, tile drainage is not warranted . The imperfect drainage is due to limited surface drainage in winter and seepage from the Fraser during the freshet . .These soils would respond to irrigation, although their drought resistance is greater than that of the Monroe series .
BATES SERIES
The Bates soils are derived from local stream deposits . They are adjacent to McLellan, Clayburn and Downes creeks . The associated soils are the Lickman, McElvee and Sim series .
The topography varies from gently undulating to undulating, with slopes from one to six percent . Stream erosion has produced broken topography in places, with short, steep slopes . Mapped areas of Bates series and associated soils are as follows :
Bates series 37 acres Bates-Sim complex 93 " Bates-Lickman complex 137 "
Deposition of the parent material was by overflow of the natural levees during creek freshets . Abandoned channels of various small creeks which cross the lowland also deposited material from which the Bates and associated soils are derived . The parent material, from 24 to 48 inches thick, overlies Fraser River floodplain deposits . The surface and profile textures vary from silt loam to silty clay loam . - 28 -
The Gleyed Mull Regosol Bates soils are imperfectly drained . The original vegetation, which survives on uncleared areas, consisted of cottonwood, alder, willow, vine maple, blackberry, thimbleberry, rose, nettles, weeds, and grasses . A cultivated profile was examined about 100 feet north of the McLennan Creek crossing of Townshipline Road, and described as follows :
Depth Horizon Inches Description
Ap 0- 7 Dark-gray (l0YR 4/l, dry) or very dark brown (10YR 2/2, moist) silt loam . Moderate, fine subangular blocky breaking to medium granular structure . Friable when moist . Roots abun- dant . pH 5 .1 . Abrupt boundary :
Cgj 7-14 Pale-brown (l0YR 6/3, dry) or gray-brown (2 .5Y 5/2, moist) silt loam . Moderate, coarse subangular blocky structure . A few fine, faint mottles . Friable when moist . Roots common . pH 5 .3 " Clear boundary :
Cgl 14-26 Light brownish gray (l0YR 6/2, dry) or light olive gray to olive-gray (5Y 6/2 - 5/2, moist) silty clay loam . Weak, coarse pseudo- subangular blocky structure . Common, medium, distinct yellowish-brown (l0YR 5/6, moist) mottles . Firm when moist . Occasional roots . pH 5 .4 . Gradual boundary :
Cg2 26+ Light-gray (l0YR 7/2, dry) or light olive gray to olive-gray (5Y 6/2 - 5/2, moist) silty clay loam . Weak coarse pseudo- subangular blocky structure . Many medium, distinct, strong-brown (7 .5YR 5/6, moist) mottles . Firm when moist . pH 5 .5 .
Land Use
The areas of Bates soils and associated complexes are used chiefly for pasture and in part for the production of hay and silage . Cultivation is difficult, owing to recently cut and abandoned stream channels, and the undulating topography . The soils are ideal for forage where the topography is near level .
Though the Bates soils are imperfectly drained, tile drainage is not necessary for the production of forage . Fluctuating water tables due to variation of creek flow may damage roots susceptible to poor aeration and low soll temperature . Irrigation is benefi- -29- cial in the dry season, at longer intervals than on the Monroe and Lickman series, The surface horizon is well supplied with organic matter, and the carbon-nitrogen ratio is optimum for nitrogen availability .
GLEYSOL SOILS
These are poorly to very poorly drained soils, which developed under swamp or swamp-forest vegetation . Under natural conditions the mineral soil may be overlain by organic horizons less than 12 inches thick, or a dark colored mineral horizon up to three inches thick . Cultivated land has a brown to grayish- brown plow layer, underlain by a gleyed horizon or horizons which may or may not have weakly developed eluvial or illuvial subhori- zons . The gleyed horizons are grayish, and may be mottled .
Two subgroups of Gleysol soils were found in Matsqui Municipality . These are Rego Gleysol and Peaty Rego Gleysol soils .
Rego Gle,yso l Soils
These soils may have an Ah horizon up to three inches thick and/or an L-H horizon of organic matter up to six inches thick . These horizons are underlain abruptly by a gleyed Cg horizon, which may be mottled .
The Rego Gleysol soils developed under swamp or swamp-forest vegetation, with poor to very poor drainage . In Matsqui Municipality this subgroup is represented by the Prest, Page and McElvee series, and the Sardis soil complex .
Peaty Rego Gl.e,ysol Soil s
This subgroup is characterized by an L--H horizon from six to 12 inches thick, beneath which is a gleyed Cg horizon . An Ah horizon less than three inches thick may be present beneath the L-H horizon, In Matsqui Municipality the Hallert and Annis series represent the Peaty Rego Gleysol soils,,
Rego Gleysol Soils
PRFST SERIES
This series is derived from Fraser River floodplain deposits . Most areas are in the northern part of Matsqui Municipality . The topography is slightly depressional5 with slopes up to three percent, The Prest soils are in the bottoms of depressions which lack drainage outlets . They are associated with the Fairfield, Grevell and Monroe soils, which occupy better drained positions nearby . Elevations vary from eight to 14 feet, Much of the -30-
Prest series is nonarable, because there are no drainage outlets . The following Prest and associated soils were mapped :
Prest series 252 acres Prest-Page complex 119 " Prest (shallow phase)-Grevell complex 88 " Prest (shallow phase)-PJionroe (shallow phase) -Fairfield (shallow phase) complex 98 "
Surface textures of the Prest series vary from silty clay loam to silty clay . In places there is a few inches of peat on the surface . Drainage is very poor . In the lowest places water is at the surface in the growing season . In most of the areas the water table is very near the surface throughout the year . In small, isolated areas that lie between the dyke and the Fraser, a shallow phase was mapped with sand within 18 inches of the surface .
The Rego Gleysol Prest soils support a native vegetation consisting chiefly of sedges, watercress, skunk cabbage and reed canarygrass . An undisturbed profile one-half mile east and 600 feet south of the Bell and Fore road junction was described as follows :
Depth Horizon Inches Description
L-H 3- 0 Undecomposed organic matter . pH 4 .5 .
Cgl 0-10 Light-gray (5YR 7/19 dry) or grayish-brown (l0YR 5/2, moist) silty clay loam . Moderate, coarse subangular blocky structure . Many coarse, prominent, dark-red (2 .5YR 3/6, moist) mottles . Very firm when moist . Roots common, pH 5 .3 . Clear boundary :
Cg2 10-18 Light-gray (5Y 6/1, dry) or gray (5Y 5/1, moist) silty clay . Massive . Common, distinct yellowish-brown (l0YR 5/4 - 5/6, moist) mottles . Very firm when moist . Occasional roots . pH 5 .7 . Abrupt boundary :
IICg 18-27 Light-gray to gray (5Y 6/1 - 5/1, dry) or very dark gray to dark-gray (2 .5Y 3/0 - 4/0, moist) loamy fine sand . Single-grained . Highly gleyed . Very friable when moist . pH 6 .3 . Abrupt boundary : Depth Horizon Inches Description
Cg3 27+ Gray (2 .5Y 5/0, moist) silt loam . Massive . Highly gleyed . Firm when moist . pH 6 .3 "
Land Use
The Prest soils are in very poorly drained depressions . In many cases they are nonarable, because a drainage outlet is lack- ing. Water lies most of the year on the surface . Inasmuch as the depressions hinder cultivation of surrounding soils, it may in some cases be feasible to level the tops of ridges of the associated iVlonroe and Fairfield soils and in part fill the depressions . The Prest soils would be productive if they could be drained, but usually the small areas involved do not warrant the cost . If drained, the low organic matter content of the soil should be increased . Reed canarygrass withstands poor drainage, and could be used to seed some of these areas to permanent pasture .
PAGE SERIES
The Page soils are derived from floodplain deposits of the Fraser River . They occupy areas in the northern part of Pdiatsqui Municipality, near the Fraser . The Page soils are closely associated with the Prest series, but in somewhat better drained positions .
The series has undulating topography, with slopes from two to six percent . In this ridge- and swale-relief, the Page soils occupy an intermediate position between the Fairfield (imperfectly drained) and Prest (most poorly drained) soils . At elevations from 10 to 19 feet, the classified areas are as follows :
Page series 347 acres Page-Prest complex 274 " Page-Fairf ield complex 244 "
The surface textures of the Page soils vary from silty clay loam to silt loam . In some undisturbed places a few inches of peat occurs on the surface . The Page series is poorly drained, though the surface horizon is clear of water in the growing season . This compares with the Prest series, which may be saturated to the surface throughout the year .
In undisturbed places the Rego Gleysol Page soils have a cover of willows, sedges, watercress, skunk cabbage, and reed canarygrass . A cultivated profile about 300 feet northeast of the crossing of Glenmore Road over the C . N . R . track was described as follows : - 32 -
Depth Horizon Inches Description
Ap 0- 6 Light-gray to light brownish gray (l0YR 6/1 - 6/2, dry) or very dark grayish brown to dark grayish brown (l0YR 3/2 - 4/2, moist) silty clay loam . Weak, fine subangular blocky breaking to granular structure . A few fine, faint mottles . Firm when moist . Roots abundant . pH 5,8 . Abrupt boundary :
Cgl 6-15 Light-gray (10YR 7/1, dry) or grayish-brown (l0YR 5/2, moist) silty clay loam . Moderate, coarse subangular blocky structure . Many medium, distinct yellowish-brown (l0YR 5/6, moist) mottles, A very intense band of mottling just below the plow layer. Very firm when moist . Occasional roots . pH 5 .7 . Gradual boundary :
Cg2 15-27 Light-gray (l0YR 7/1, dry) or dark-gray to gray (l0YR 4/1 - 5/1, moist) silty clay loam. Moderate, medium pseudo-subangular blocky structure . Common medium, distinct, dark yellowish brown to yellowish-brown (l0YR 4/4 - 5/6, moist) mottles . Very firm when moist . Occasional roots . pH 5 .7 . Diffuse boundary :
Cg3 27-34 Light-gray (7 .5YR 7/0, dry) or gray (l0YR 5/1 - 6/1, moist) silty clay loam . Massive . Common, medium distinct, yellowish-brown (l0YR 5/6, moist) mottles . Firm when moist . pH 5,6 . Diffuse boundary :
Cg4 34+ Light-gray (7 .5YR 7/0, dry) or gray (5Y 5/1, moist) silty clay loam . Massive . Common, medium distinct, yellowish-brown (10YR 5/4 - 5/6, moist) mottles . Very firm when moist . pH 6 .0 .
Land Use
The Page soils are used chiefly for pasture and forage . Small fruits and vegetables are not recommended, owing to the poor drainage . Tile or open ditch drainage would improve soil structure and productivity .
These soils have high ?noisture-holding capacity, and are seldom moisture deficient . Ponding in the swales is common in - 33 - winter . The heavy texture and wet depressions delay cultivation in the spring . Organic matter is low ; the soils require manure or soiling crops . Buttercup is a problem in pastures if the drainage is inadequate . Though these soils require careful management to be productive, many farmers get satisfactory yields from them.
MCELVEE SERIES
The McElvee soils in Matsqui Municipality are derived from deposits of Clayburn, McLennan and Downes creeks ; materials erod.ed from the upland and Sumas Mountain . The topography varies from gently sloping to undulating, with slopes from two to five percent . At elevations between 15 and 50 feet, the soil areas are as follows :
McElvee series 41 acres McElvee (shallow phase)-McElvee complex 163 "
The parent material was deposited during flood stages of the creeks, by overflow of the stream banks . Though profile textures are chiefly loam to silt loam, an occasional lens of sand or sandy loam may occur. These materials overlie those of the Fraser River in deposits about 20 inches or more thick .
The McElvee soils are associated with the Lickman series and the Sardis soil complex . Distinguishing features are the absence of an Ah horizon, poor drainage and loam to silt loam surface textures . The poor drainage is caused by restricted external drainage . The depressions in the undulating areas are very poorly drained .
In uncleared areas the Rego Gleysol McElvee series has a natural cover of cottonwood, cedar, maple, alder, willow, salmonberry, thimbleberry, sedge, buttercup, and sorrel . A cultivated profile about 600 feet east of the trans-mountain pipeline crossing of Wright Road was described as follows :
Depth Horizon Inches Description
Apg 0- 6 Light brownish gray to pale-brown (l0YR 6/2 - 6/3, dry) or very dark grayish brown to dark grayish brown (l0YR 3/2 - 4/2, moist) loam . Moderate, medium subangular blocky breaking to granular structure . A few fine ; faint mottles . Friable when moist . Roots common . pH 5 .6~ Clear boundary : - 34 -
Depth Horizon Inches Description
Cgl 6-13 Very pale brown (10YR 7/3, dry) or grayish- brown (10YR 5/2, moist) silt loam . Weak, medium subangular blocky structure . Common, medium, distinct, dark yellowish brown (10YR 4/4, moist) mottles . Firm when moist . Occasional roots . pH 5 .6 . Abrupt boundary :
IICgl 13-16 Pale-brown (10YR 6/3, dry) or light brcvvnish gray (10YR 6/2, moist) loamy sand . Single- grained . Loose when moist . Common, fine, distinct dark-red (2 .5YR 3/6, moist) mottles . Occasional roots . pH 5 .7 . Abrupt boundary :
Cg2 16-28 Light-gray (10YR 7/2, dry) or grayish-brown (10YR 5/2, moist) silt loam . Massive . Many fine, distinct, dark-red (2 .5YR 3/6, moist) mottles . Firm when moist . Occasional roots . pH 5 .7 . Abrupt boundary :
IICg2 28-30 Light-gray (10YR 7/2, dry) or strong-brown (7 .5YR 5/6, moist) coarse sand . Single- grained . Many fine, distinct, yellowish-red (5YR 4/6, moist) mottles . Loose when moist . pH 5 .8 . Abrupt boundary :
IIICg 30+ Grayish-brown (10YR 5/2, moist) sandy clay loam . Massive . A few fine, distinct, dark- brown (7 .5YR 4/4, moist) mottles . Friable when moist .
Land Use
Productivity is limited by poor drainage . Most areas of McElvee soils produce hay, silage and pasture, but there are scattered plots of small fruits . Poor drainage can encourage root rots in small fruits and poor stands of legumes . Tile drainage may help specialized crops . However, drainage of localized areas is complicated by rapid permeability . These soils accept water from adjoining areas, making drainage on a farm basis both difficult and costly .
The soils become droughty in the dry season, and hence they respond to irrigation . In the growing season a comparatively short irrigation interval is necessary, owing to low moisture- holding capacity . -35-
SARDIS SOIL COMPLEX
This complex is composed of a group of soils derived from the deposits of streams that drain the upland . Small areas are scattered around the edge of Matsqui Prairie near the upland . The topography is from level to gently undulating at elevations between 15 and 50 feet . The soils were mapped as a complex because of varied genetic development .
The parent materials are coarse sands and gravel, deposited by streams during their freshet stages . Surface textures are from gravelly sand to sandy loam . The soils are associated with the Lickman and McElvee series . The Sardis soils occupy positions nearest the stream channels . A total of 195 acres were mapped as Sardis complex, and in addition, 25 acres were assigned to a Sardis-Lickman complex .
In genetic development the Sardis soils range from Orthic Regosols to Rego Gleysols, of which the latter occupies most of the acreage . In uncleared areas the natural vegetation is a mixture of cottonwood, maple, willow, alder, cedar, salmonberry, thimbleberry, sedge, and sorrel . A description of a Rego Gleysol Sardis profile in cultivated land is as follows :
Depth Horizon Inches Description
Ap 0- 9 Dark grayish brown (10YR 4/2, moist) sandy loam . Weak subangular blocky breaking to granular structure . Friable when moist . Roots common . pH 5 .7 . Abrupt boundary :
Cg 9+ Grayish sand and gravel with faint mottles . Roots common in the upper part but decrease with depth . Loose when moist . pH 6 .2 .
Land Use
Much of the Sardis complex is used in the native state as rough pasture . The coarse texture of the soils make them poor as agricultural land, with low moisture and nutrient-holding capacities . Along creeks, areas of these soils are subject to flooding . When irrigated they would produce forage, small fruits and some vegetables . -36-
Peaty Rego Gl~sol Soils
HALLERT SERIES
The Hallert series is derived from a mixture of Fraser flood- plain and swamp deposits . It occupies scattered areas in Glen Valley and a large acreage in the central part of Matsqui Prairie .
The topography is chiefly level ; a few small areas are gently undulating. The elevations, from eight to 16 feet, lie slightly lower than surrounding areas . The following soils were mapped :
Hallert series 1,031 acres Hallert-Gibson complex 31 " Hallert-Banford complex 79 "
Deposition of the Fraser floodplain sediments was largely by vertical accretion . The silts and clays were transported into ponded areas and deposited during exceptional freshets . Between these occasional depositions layers of organic matter accumulated which in turn were buried . This process extended over many years ; alternate layers of mineral and organic material compose the soil profile . The alternate mineral and organic layers vary in thick- ness, indicating different river loads of mineral material and variable periods between depositions which allowed for the accu- mulations of organic matter. Surface textures consist of mucky silt and silty muck, and minor areas of silt loam and muck . There are thin bands of undecomposed peat in all horizons . In some areas the organic layers are very thin ; in others the silt layers are thin .
Internal and external drainage are very poor . The slowly draining water table remains at or near the surface most of the winter . Permeability of the organic layers is medium, but where layers of mineral material are present the permeability is slow . In places the soil profile is underlain by water-saturated peat or muck .
These are poorly drained Peaty Rego Gleysol soils . In undisturbed areas the vegetation is composed of hardhack, sedges, buttercup and thistle . A cultivated soil profile one-quarter mile southwest of the Harris-Riverside road junction was described as follows :
Depth Horizon Inches Description
Ap 0- 7 Gray (l0YR 6/l, dry) or very dark gray to black (l0YR 3/1 - 2/1, moist) silty muck . Moderate, medium subangular blocky structure . Very friable when moist . Roots abundant . pH 5 .0 . Gradual boundary : - 37 -
Depth Horizon Inches Description
F & Cg 7-17 Light-gray (l0YR 7/2, dry) or grayish-brown (l0YR 5/2, moist) silt loam containing 16 thin layers of organic matter . Weak, medium platy structure . A few fine, faint mottles . Firm when moist . Roots common . pH 5 .0 . Abrupt boundary :
Cgl 17-26 Light-gray (l0YR 7/1, dry) or dark-gray (l0YR 4/1, moist) mucky silt . Very fine layers of organic matter throughout . Weak, medium subangular blocky structure . Common fine, faint yellowish-brown (l0YR 5/4, moist) mottles . Friable when moist . Roots common . pH 5 .4 . Gradual boundary :
Cg2 26-34 Light-gray (l0YR 7/2, dry) or grayish-brown (l0YR 5/2, moist) silty clay loam . Scat- tered, thin bands of organic matter . Weak, medium pseudo-subangular blocky structure . Common, fine, distinct, yellowish-brown (l0YR 5/4, moist) mottles . Friable when moist . Occasional roots, pH 5 .4 . Diffuse boundary :
Cg3 34+ Light-gray (l0YR 6/1 - 7/1, dry) or gray (l0YR 5/1, moist) silt loam. Massive . Extremely gleyed . Common fine, distinct, yellowish-brown (10YR 5/4, moist) mottles. Friable when moist . Occasional roots . pH 5 .4 .
Land Use
Most of the acreage of the Hallert soils is planted to grasses for hay, pasture and silage . A minor acreage is in blueberries, which are suitable for these soils . Legumes survive for only a short period, because of poor drainage .
Flooding and ponding are common in periods of high rainfall, owing to the level topography . In the dry season the soil becomes droughty and irrigation would be beneficial . A fluctuat- ing water table makes these soils difficult to manage . If wet in the growing season, they obstruct the use of machinery when culti- vating or harvesting . Tile and open-ditch drainage improve soil productivity . If not properly drained, sedges and buttercup compete with the grasses for the sward . - 38 -
ANNIS MUCK
This soil type occupies depressions on the floodplain, mainly in swamp areas near the upland . The topography is level to very gently undulating . Annis Muck also occupies scattered depressions in areas of better drained soils that have undulating and rolling topography . The following areas were mapped at elevations between eight and 15 feet :
Annis Muck 194 acres Annis-Banford complex 40 '' Annis-Sim complex 23 " Annis-Hallert-i3eharrel complex 144 " Annis-Hjorth complex 43 " Annis-Hazelwood complex 14
The parent material consists of from six to 12 inches of well decomposed muck, which overlies silty clay loam and silty clay floodplain deposits . The drainage is very poor . Mineral soil beneath the layer of muck is strongly gleyed .
The Annis Muck is a Peaty Rego Gleysol, derived from swamp forest litter . The natural vegetation is composed of scattered cedar ; alder, willow, hardhack, and sedges . A cultivated profile about 300 yards south of the Bates-Harris road junction was described as follows :
Depth Horizon Inches Description
Hp 10- 2 Very dark gray to dark-gray (l0YR 3/1 - 4/1, dry) or. very dark brown (l0YR 2/2, moist) muck . Very friable when moist . Roots abundant . pH 5,2 . Abrupt boundary :
F-H 2- 0 Brown to dark-brown (l0YR 4/3 - 3/3, dry) or dark-brown (7 .5YR 3/2, moist) peaty muck . Fibrous . Roots common . pH 4 .7 . Abrupt boundary :
Cgl 0- 4 Light-gray (l0YR 6/1 - 7/1, dry) or dark- gray (l0YR 4/1, moist) silty clay loam . Massive . A few fine, faint mottles . Firm when moist . Occasional roots- pH 5 .1 . Clear boundary :
Cg2 4- 8 Light-gray (7 .5YR 7/0, dry) or dark-gray (2,5YR 4/0, moist) silty clay . Massive . Common fine, distinct, strong-brown (7 .5YR 5/6, moist) mottles, Very firm when moist . Occasional roots, pH 5 .4 . Clear bound iry : -39-
Depth Horizon Inches Descript ion
Cg3 8+ Pale-brown (l0YR 6/3, dry) or gray-brown (2 .5Y 5/2, moist) silty clay loam . Massive . Many medium, prominent, strong-brown (7 .5YR 5/6, moist) mottles . Very firm when moist . Occasional roots . pH 6 .1 .
L d Use
Though most of the acreage is cultivated, satisfactory crop production is dependent on adequate drainage . Since this soil type is generally associated with other organic soils, management is similar to that applied to them . In cases of Annis Muck association with mineral soils, the management is similar to mineral soil management .
This soil type does not compare well with adjacent mineral soils as a producer of perennial grasses, inasmuch as flooding is hard on these crops . However, annuals, such as oats or vegetables, do well .
Underdrains are essential for good pasture, otherwise sedges and weeds take over . Light irrigations may be of benefit in the dry season, but the cost of works may offset any increased yield, if irrigation is for short periods only .
HUMIC GLEYSOL SOILS
Thes e soils occupy poorly drained areas on the Fraser flood- plain, on the deposits of tributary streams and on the lower edges of scattered alluvial-colluvial fans . The poorly drained solum is characterized by an accumulation of organic matter in the surface horizons, which imparts a dark color . The dark sur- face horizon (more than three inches thick) is underlain abruptly by one or more gleyed and mottled horizons . These may or may not have weakly developed eluvial or illuvial subhorizons . The poorly drained soils have a high, fluctuating water table, and developed under swamp forest . There may be up to 12 inches of peat on the surface .
In the mapped area the Humic Gleysol soil group is repre- sented by Rego Humic Gleysol and Orthic Humic Gleysol subgroups .
Rego Humi c Gleysol Soils
This subgroup is distinguished by a dark colored Ah horizon more than three inches thick . This horizon is underlain abruptly by one or more gleyed and mottled Cg horizons . There is no illuvial B horizon . There may be up to six inches of peat on the surface . -40-
The members in the surveyed area are the Hjorth series, Niven complex, Sim and Elk series .
Orthic Humic Gle,yso l Soils
These soils have a dark colored Ah horizon more than three inches thick, which has a high content of organic matter . This horizon is underlain abruptly by one or more gleyed horizons, one of which is a weakly developed illuvial B horizon . One or more gleyed Cg horizons are beneath the illuviated B horizon . There may be up to six inches of peat on the surface . The only representative in the surveyed area is the Hazelwood series,
Rego Humic G leysol Soils
HJORTH SERIES
The Hjorth soils occupy small areas on the Fraser f loodplain in the northern part of TVIatsqui Municipality . The topography is gently sloping to undulating ; slopes are from two to six percent, and the elevations range from nine to 16 feet .
The parent material consists of lateral accretions of silt loam to silty clay loam texture, which spread from the Fraser and numerous, meandering flood-channels . The following soils were differentiated :
Hjorth series gg acres Hjorth-Annis complex 15 i Hjorth-Hallert complex 40 n Hjorth-Fairf ield-Page complex 13 i
The Hjorth series is composed of moderately poorly drained Rego Humic Gleysol soils . The native vegetation consists of a heavy growth of cottonwood, alder, willow, scattered cedar, and cascara . There is also a dense understory of shrubs, and a thin growth of sedges . The profile has a dark surface horizon and a gleyed and mottled subsoil . An undisturbed profile was described as follows :
Depth Horizon Inches Description
L ~- 0 A thin layer of undecomposed leaves, wood., needles and moss .
0- 6 Very dark brown (10YR 2/2, moist) silt loam . Moderate, medium to fine blocky structure . Friable when moist . Numerous worm casts . Roots common . pH 5 .4 . Clear boundary : Depth Horizon Inches Description
Cgl 6-16 Dark-gray (l0YR 4/1, moist) silt loam with a few distinct mottles . Moderate, medium blocky structure . Friable when moist . Many worm channels and casts, some contain- ing Ah horizon material . Occasional roots . pH 5 .4 . Gradual boundary :
Cg2 16-24 Dark-gray (l0YR 4/1, moist) silt loam with many distinct, dark-red (2 .5YR 3/6, moist) mottles . Massive . Friable when moist . Occasional roots . pH 5 .3 . Gradual boundary :
IICg 24+ Dark-gray (lOYR 4/1, moist) sandy loam with many distinct, dark-red (2 .5YR 3/6, moist) mottles . Massive . Friable when moist . Occasional roots . pH 5 .7 .
Land Use
The Hjorth soils are used for the production of forage crops . Drainage is necessary for water table control, the main limita- tion being poor drainage . The organic matter content of the soil is relatively high, and other plant nutrients are available in moderate amounts .
NIVEN SOIL COMPLEX
This soil complex occupies scattered areas on Matsqui Prairie . The largest acreages are in the transition between the mineral soils of the Fraser floodplain and the organic swamp deposits . The topography is very gently undulating, with slopes up to three percent, and elevations are between 10 and 15 feet . The mapped areas are as follows :
N iven complex 307 acres Niven-Hjorth complex 22 "
The parent material consists of Fraser floodplain and fine textured alluvial-colluvial fan deposits which overlie peat . Surface textures vary from silt loam to silty clay loam . The mineral soil layer above peat is from 15 to 30 inches thick . The soils are poorly to very poorly drained .
The Niven complex varies in genetic development from Rego Humic Gleysol, which occupies most of the acreage, to Rego Gleysol . The native vegetation is composed of alder, vine maple, and cedar, - 42 - with an understory of rose, skunk cabbage, nettles, sedges, and grasses : A cultivated profile 400 feet northwest of the Highway 11-Townshipline road junction was given the following description :
Depth Horizon Inches Description
Ap 0- 6 Dark-gray to gray (l0YR 4/1 - 5/1, dry) or very dark gray (l0YR 3/1, moist) silty clay loam . Weak, medium subangular blocky struc- ture . Friable when moist . Roots common . pH 5 . 5 . Abrupt boundary :
CgF 6-16 Interstratified peat and silt . The mineral soil gleyed and mottled . Organic matter in thin layers between layers of silt . Firm when moist . Occasional roots, pH 5 .8 . Clear boundary :
Cg 16-20 Gray to grayish-brown (l0YR 5/1 - 5/2, moist) silt loam . Common, coarse, prominent mottles . Massive . Firm when moist . pH 6 .0 . Abrupt boundary :
F 20+ Partly decomposed brown to dark-brown peat . pH 5 .8 .
Land Use
The Niven soil complex is used for the production of forage and specialized crops . The comparatively level topography is desirable for crops that require even maturity . Drainage is poor to very poor, requiring tile drainage in most areas, particu- larly if perennial crops are produced . Irrigation is beneficial, particularly for vegetables, except where subsurface moisture is available throughout the growing season, Cultivation takes considerable power, owing to heavy texture and sticky consistence .
These soils have various levels of organic matter in the cultivated layer, but chiefly the content is medium . Response to the application of nitrogen should be favorable, and liming is .Zecessary . Composite sampling is needed to determine fertilizer requirements, because of profile variation and past practices on different farms .
SIM SERIES
This series is derived from local stream deposits, near creeks which cross Tdatsq~ii Prairie . These are poorly drained soils associated with the Lickman, Bates and McElvee series . -43-
Most of the topography is gently undulating, with slopes up to three percent . The elevations are from 10 to 20 feet . The mapped soils are as follows :
Sim series 50 acres Sim-Hazelwood complex 176 " Sim-Bates complex 80 " Sim-Beharrel complex 57 "
The parent material was deposited by overflow of sediment- laden creek-water during flood stages . In addition to overflow from the main channels, semi-abandoned channels also served to spread the sediments . The deposits of the streams overlie those of the Fraser floodplain in layers from one to three feet thick . The surface textures range from silt loam to silty clay loam .
The Sim series is composed of Rego Humic Gleysol soils . Uncleared areas have a native cover of cottonwood, alder, willow, salal, blackberry, thimbleberry, nettles, sedges, and grasses . A cultivated profile about 900 feet southeast of the crossing of Harris Road over the B . C . Hydro Authority Railway was described as follows :
Depth Horizon Inches Description
Ap 0- 7 Dark-gray (l0YR 4/1, dry) or very dark gray to black (l0YR 3/1 - 2/1, moist) silt loam. Weak, medium subangular blocky breaking to granular structure . Friable when moist . Roots common . pH 5 .3 . Abrupt boundary :
Cgl 7-16 Light-gray (l0YR 6/1, dry) or gray to grayish-brown (l0YR 5/1 - 5/2, moist) silty clay loam . Weak, coarse subangular blocky structure . Common, medium, distinct yellowish-brown (l0YR 5/4, moist) mottles . Friable when moist . Occasional roots . pH 5 .1 . Abrupt boundary :
Cg2 16-25 Light brownish gray to light-gray (l0YR 6/2 - 6/1 dry) or grayish-brown (l0YR 5/2, moist~ silt loam . Massive . A few medium, distinct, reddish-brown (5YR 4/4, moist) mottles . Firm when moist . Occasional roots . pH 5 .0 . Gradual boundary :
Cg3 25+ Light-gray (l0YR 6/1, dry) or gray (l0YR 5/1, moist) silty clay loam . Massive . A few medium, prominent, strong brown (7 .5YR 5/6, moist) mottles . Firm when moist . pH 5,0 . - 44 -
Land Use
The Sim soils are used chiefly for hay ; pasture and silage crops . The poor drainage is due mainly to the low gradient for runoff . Flooding and ponding occur in the wet season :
On individual farms the soil productivity could be increased by tile drainage, if suitable outlets are available . In the level to undulating topography the undulating areas are the better drained . Where drainage is poor grasses supplant legumes, and these in turn give way to buttercup and thistle . The soils are friable, have good root penetration, and minimum power is required for cultivation . A high moisture holding capacity limits the need of irrigation to infrequent applications in the dry season .
ELK SERIES
The Elk soils are derived from the finer textured fan materials on the edges of Matsqui Prairie and Glen Valley, adja- cent to the upland . In some cases the Elk series is associated with the coarser textured Isar series, which occurs at the apex of fans, with Elk soils lower down on the fan aprons . The topo- graphy is gently to steeply sloping ; slopes being from two to 15 percent . The elevations are from 20 to 60 feet . The soils were mapped as follows :
Elk series 248 acres Elk-Niven complex 44 11 Elk-Isar complex 10 " Elk-Columbia complex 61 "
The parent material is composed of a surface layer from 18 to 36 inches thick, which overlies sands and gravels . The sur- face textures are loam, silt loam and silty clay loam . The roughly stratified sands and gravels are occupied by a fluctuat- ing water table, and average drainage of the Elk soils is poor .
The Elk series is composed of Rego Humic Gleysol soils . The native vegetation consists of a tree cover of alder and willow, with an understory of blackberry, bracken, buttercup, scattered sedge and dandelion . A cultivated profile on a fan one-quarter mile southeast of River and Bradner road junction was described as follows :
Depth Hor izon Inches Description
Ap 0- 7 Dark-gray (l0YR 4/1, dry) or very dark grayish brown (l0YR 3/2, moist) loam . Moderate, medium subangular blocky structure . Very friable when moist . Roots common . pH 5 .2 . Clear boundary : -45-
Depth Horizon Inches Description
Cgl 7-15 Gray (l0YR 6/1, dry) or grayish-brown (l0YR 5/2, moist) silt loam . Sand pockets through- out . Weak, coarse subangular blocky struc- ture . Many medium, distinct, strong-brown (7 .5YR 5/6, moist) mottles . Friable when moist . Occasional roots . pH 5 .6 . Abrupt boundary :
IIC 15-20 Medium sand of various colors . Single- grained . A few medium, distinct, brown (7 .5YR 4/4, moist) mottles . Loose when moist . Occasional roots . pH 5 .3 . Abrupt boundary :
Cg2 20-30 Light-gray (l0YR 6/1, dry) or dark-gray to gray (l0YR 4/1 - 5/1, moist) silt loam . Massive . A few fine, faint, yellowish-brown (l0YR 5/6, moist) mottles . Friable when moist . pH 4 .1 . Clear boundary :
IICg 30+ Light-gray (5Y 6/1, dry) or gray (2 .5Y 5/0, moist) loamy fine sand . Single-grained . Very friable when moist . pH 4 .2.
Land Use
The Elk soils are farmed for forage and rough pasture . Productivity is limited by poor drainage . Seepage from creeks and springs keep the soils moist throughout the year . Intercept- ing tile drains and ditches, to pick up down-slope seepage, are beneficial . Irrigation is not necessary, except in locations which become too dry .
Orthic Humic Gleysol Soils
HAZELW00D SERIES
This series is derived from Fraser floodplain deposits . Most of the surveyed areas are in the east central part of Matsqui Prairie . The topography varies from near level to undu- lating with slopes from one to five percent . In drainage sequence the Hazelwood soils are associated with the Beharrel series, the Hazelwood series being in the more poorly drained positions . The Hazelwood soils are also associated with the Sim series where streams have deposited material on the floodplain . The range of elevation is from 10 to 18 feet . Acreages mapped are as follows : - 46 -
Hazelwood series 985 acres Hazelwood-Sim complex 327 " Hazelwood-Beharrel complex 154 Hazelwood-Annis complex 81 " Hazelwood-Niven complex 30 "
The parent material was deposited by the Fraser River during flood stages . The mode of deposition was chiefly by vertical accretion . The river load of fine materials was carried into ponds, where they settled on the bottom . The surface textures vary from silt loam to silty clay loam . Subsurface textures differ from place to place, but a silty clay Btg horizon is common in all areas .
This is a poorly drained group of Orthic Humic Gleysol soils . Porosity is limited and permeability very slow ; the Btg horizon being least permeable . Water drains so slowly that the water table remains near the surface most of the winter . The Hazelwood soils have an Ah horizon high in organic matter, and in some areas there is a buried IIAh horizon . In a few uncleared areas the native vege~tation consists of cottonwood, alder, maple, and scattered cedar, with an undergrowth of thimbleberry, black- berry, nettles, thistle, and grasses . A cultivated profile about 600 feet northeast of the Bell-Clayburn road junction was described as follows :
Depth Horizon Inches Description
Ap 0- 9 Dark-gray (l0YR 4/1 - 5/1, dry) or black to very dark gray (l0YR 2/1 - 3/1, moist) silt loam . Weak, medium subangular blocky break- ing to medium granular structure . Friable when moist . Roots common . pH 4 .7 . Abrupt boundary :
9-14 Gray (2 .5Y 5/0 - 4/0, dry) or very dark gray to dark-gray (2 .5Y 3/0 - 4/0, moist) silty clay loam . Strong, medium subangular blocky structure . Very firm when moist . Occasional roots . pH 5 .0 . Abrupt boundary :
Btg 14-24 Light-gray (2 .5Y 7/0, dry) or gray (l0YR 5/1, moist) silty clay . Strong, coarse prismatic, breaking to coarse subangular blocky structure . Organic matter and clay coatings on prism surfaces . Organic matter deposits in cracks between prisms . Many medium, distinct reddish-brown (5YR 4/4, moist) mottles . Extremely firm when moist . pH 5 .1 . Gradual boundary : -47-
Depth Horizon Inches Description
Cg 24-29 Zight-gray (7 .5YR 7/0, dry) or gray (l0YR 5/1 - 6/1, moist) silty clay loam . Massive . Many medium, distinct, reddish-brown (5YR 4/4, moist) mottles . Very firm when moist . pH 5 .5 . Gradual boundary :
IICgl 29-36 Light-gray (10YR 7/1, dry) or gray to grayish-brown (l0YR 5/1 - 5/2, moist) very fine sandy loam . Massive . A few medium, distinct, yellowish-brown (10YR 5/6, moist) mottles . Very friable when moist . pH 5 .6 . Gradual boundary :
IICg2 26+ Loamy sand of various colors . Single-grained . Loose when moist . A few medium, distinct mottles . pH 5 .9 .
Land Use
Most of the acreage of Hazelwood soils is farmed for dairy- ing . There are scattered areas of specialized crops . The near level topography is suitable for crops requiring uniform maturity .
The poor drainage is due to the low gradient for runoff . Saturation in winter occurs for periods long enough to damage the roots of perennials . Soil productivity is increased by tile drainage . When adequately drained the prismatic structure of the subsoil gradually converts to subangular blocky structure, thus improving porosity and root penetration . A few widely spaced irrigations would be beneficial in the dry season .
ELUVIATED GLEYSOL SOILS
These soils, which occur in the Lower Fraser Valley, may or may not have a dark colored surface horizon . They are characteri- zed by eluvial and illuvial horizons, which are gleyed and mottled, and the subsoils beneath are also gleyed and mottled . The Eluviated Gleysols developed under swamp forest . In the surveyed area they are represented by the Humic Eluviated Gleysol subgroup .
Humic Eluviated Gle,ysol Soils
This subgroup is distinguished by a dark colored horizon more than three inches thick . It is underlain by a gleyed and mottled Btg horizon containing accumulated clay . The Btg horizon shrinks and cracks on drying to form prismatic structure . On -48- wetting the soil swells, the cracks close, and the mass becomes very slowly permeable . Under natural conditions there may be a surface layer of organic matter up to six inches thick .
The Beharrel series is the only representative in the surveyed area .
BEHARREL SERIES
The Beharrel soils were derived from deposits of the Fraser floodplain . Most of the mapped areas are in the central part of Matsqui Prairie . The distinguishing features are impermeability and poor to very poor drainage .
The topography is gently sloping to undulating, with slopes from two to four percent . These soils are associated with the Hazelwood series, and soils derived from stream deposits such as the Bates and Sim series . Elevations vary from 10 to 20 feet . The following Beharrel soils and associated complexes were mapped :
Beharrel series 720 acres Beharrel-Bates complex 192 " Beharrel-Hazelwood complex 102 " Beharrel-Niven complex 32 "
The deposition of parent material was by vertical accretion . In the freshet season silts and clays were carried into ponded areas where the sediments settled . Surface textures range from silty clay loam to silty clay, with minor areas of silt loam and clay . The Btg horizon has silty clay texture, and often comes within the plow layer . There is textural stratification in the profile, indicating different velocities of flow during freshets . There may be buried IIAh or F horizons at different depths in the profile . The Aeg horizon is often mixed with the cultivated Ap horizon .
The Humic Eluviated Gleysol Beharrel series developed under cottonwood, birch, alder, cascara, and scattered cedar, and an undergrowth of thimbleberry, salmonberry, devil's club, hardhack, and sedges . A cultivated profile about 500 feet east- northeast of the Clayburn Creek crossing of Harris Road was described as follows :
Depth Horizon Inches Description
Ap 0- 7 Gray (l0YR 5/1 - 6/1, dry) or very dark gray (l0YR 3/1, moist) silty clay loam . Strong, medium subangular blocky structure . A few fine, faint mottles . Firm when moist . Roots common . pH 5 .9 . Diffuse boundary : -49-
Depth Horizon Inches Description
Aeg 7-11 Light-gray (l0YR 7/1, dry) or dark-gray to gray (l0YR 4/1 - 5/1, moist) silty clay loam . Moderate, fine subangular blocky structure . Common,f ine, distinct, dark-red (2 .5Y 3/6, moist) mottles . Firm when moist . Roots common . pH 5 .7 . Gradual boundary :
Btg 11-19 Light-gray to light brownish gray (10YR 6/1 - 6/2, dry) or gray (l0YR 5/1, moist) clay . Strong, coarse prismatic, breaking to coarse blocky structure . Organic matter and clay coatings on prisms . Common, medium, promi- nent, brown (7 .5YR 4/4, moist) mottles . Extremely firm when moist . Occasional roots in cracks between prisms . pH 5 .3 . Clear boundary :
Cgl 19-24 Light-gray (l0YR 6/1, dry) or gray (l0YR 5/1, moist) silty clay loam . Weak, medium suban- gular blocky structure . Common, medium, distinct dark yellowish brown (10YR 4/4, moist) mottles . Firm when moist . Occasional roots . pH 5 .3 . Abrupt boundary :
CgF 24-27 Stratified muck and silt . Friable when moist . Occasional roots . pH 5 .2 . Clear boundary :
Cg2 27-35 Light-gray (l0YR 6/1 - 7/1, dry) or grayish- brown (l0YR 5/2, moist) silt loam . Massive . A few medium,- distinct, yellowish-brown (l0YR 5/4, moist) mottles . Very firm when moist . pH 5 .5 . Gradual boundary :
Cg3 35+ Light-gray (5Y 6/1, dry) or gray (5Y 5/l, moist) silt loam. Massive . A few medium, distinct mottles . Firm when moist . pH 5 .4 .
L d Use
The Beharrel series is all cultivated and used chiefly for the production of forage crops . Though the topography varies, the major part is near level and lies at low elevations . In winter soil saturation is long enough to drown or kill the roots of perennial crops . The surface and subsurface soil structure would be improved by drainage . -50-
In places heavy soil texture at or near the surface makes cultivation difficult . Grasses help to granulate the soil where the Ah horizon is thin and underlain by a heavy textured B hori- zon which forms a part of the plow layer . Moisture-holding capacity of the Beharrel soils is good and drought resistance high,. Irrigation would be beneficial only in very dry summers .
MUCK SOILS
The Muck soils occupy areas adjacent to the upland on Matsqui Prairie and in Glen Valley . They occur in depressions that serve as catchments of seepage from the upland . Under natural conditions the water table is at or near the surface most of the year. The wet environment favors the accumulation of organic matter and delays decomposition, so that the rate of accumulation up to an equilibrium is faster than the rate of decay . In places the organic deposits may be up to three feet or more thick .
The organic material is composed chiefly of the remains of reeds, sedges, wood and moss. . The surface is well decomposed, with less decomposition beneath . The organic deposits overlie strongly gleyed mineral f loodplain sediments of fine texture . The muck soils are from medium to strongly acid .
These soils were mapped according to the thickness of each deposit . Areas 12 to 24 inches thick over mineral soil were classed as Shallow Muck . Those deeper than 24 inches were mapped as Deep Muck . In Matsq~ui Municipality the shallow phase is represented by Banford Muck, and the deep phase by Gibson Muck .
Shallow Muck
BANFORD MUCK
This soil type occurs in depressions on the lowland that borders the upland around Mataqui Prairie and Glen Valley . The topography is from level to very gently undulating, and eleva- tions vary from eight to 15 feet .
The Banford Muck is associated with the Annis and Gibson series . The Banford and Gibson .aucks are intermixed, without topographic or other surface evidence to distinguish them . There is merely a difference in the thickness of the organic layer. The mapped areas are as follows :
Banford Muck 46 acres Barlford-Annis complex 216 " Banford-Gibsen complex 23 Banford-Hallert-Annis complex 36 In the cultivated soil the organic material has decomposed to muck, beneath which it changes to partly decomposed peat . The organic layer is from 12 to 24 inches thick, and the underlying mineral soil ranges in texture from silt loam to silty clay . The original vegetation was a swamp forest . A cultivated profile about one-quarter mile north, 100 yards west of the Gray-Lefeuvre road junction, was described as follows :
Depth Horizon Inches Description
Hp 23-16 Ver dark gray to dark-gray (l0YR 3/1 - 4/l, dry~ or black (l0YR 2/1, moist) muck . Very friable when moist . Roots common . pH 4 .3 . Clear boundary :
F-H 16-11 Very dark grayish brown to dark-brown (l0YR 3/2 - 3/3, dry) peaty muck . Friable when moist . Roots common . pH 4 .2 . Gradual boundary :
FCg 11- 0 Light-gr,ay and dark grayish brown (l0YR 7/1 and l0YR 4/2, dry) or dark grayish brown to brown (l0YR 4/2 - 4/3, moist) mucky silt . Weak, medium subangular blocky structure . A few fine, faint mottles . Firm when moist . Roots abundant . pH 4 .7 . Abrupt boundary :
Cgl 0-14 Light-gray (l0YR 7/1, dry) or grayish-brown (l0YR 5/2, moist) silty clay loam. Massive . A few fine, distinct, dark yellowish brown (l0YR 4/4, moist) mottles . Firm when moist . Roots common . pH 4 .7 . Clear boundary :
Cg2 14+ Light-gray (l0YR 6/1 - 7/1, dry) or gray (5Y 5/1, moist) silt loam . Massive . A few medium, prominent, yellowish-brown (l0YR 5/6, moist) mottles . Firm when moist . pH 4 .6 .
Land Use
See land use section under Gibson Muck . - 52 -
Deep Muck
GIBSON MUCK
This soil type overlies Fraser floodplain deposits . It occupies depressions near the upland in association with the Banford and Annis series . The topography is level to very gently undulating, and elevations are from eight to 15 feet . In places the Gibson and Banford series are associated without visible evidence as to the boundary between them, inasmuch as the Gibson Muck is distinguished only as deep and Banford Muck as shallow phases . The mapped areas are as follows :
Gibson Muck 1,369 acres Gibson-Banf ord complex 70 " Gibson-Triggs complex 36 "
The Gibson Muck developed under the influence of a water table at or near the surface most of the year . The organic layer over fine textured Fraser floodplain material is 24 inches or more thick . The cultivated layer has decomposed to muck, beneath which the organic deposit is partly decomposed peat . Identifiable plant remains indicate that the organic matter was derived chiefly from reeds and sedges, and minor wood and moss. The reactions are from slightly to strongly acid .
A cultivated profile at the east end of Harris Road near the foot of Sumas Mountain was given the following description :
Depth Horizon Inches Description
Hp 36-33 Dark-brown to very dark grayish brown (l0YR 3/2 - 2/2, moist) muck . Very friable when moist . Roots abundant . pH 4 .6 . Clear boundary :
F 33-30 Very dark grayish brown to dark-brown (l0YR 3/2 - 3/3, moist) peat . Partly decomposed organic matter containing recognizable stems of plants and bits of wood . Friable when moist . Roots comrnon . pH 4 .4 . Clear boundary :
FH1 30-24 Very dark grayish brown to dark-brown (l0YR 3/2 - 3/3, moist) peaty muck . Decomposed and partly decomposed organic material in layers . Friable when moist . Roots common . pH 4 .5 . Gradual boundary : -53-
Depth Horizon Inches Deu cri ption
FH2 24-12 Very dark brown to black (l0YR 2/2 - 2/1, moist) peaty muck . Decomposed and partly decomposed organic layers . Friable when moist . Occasional roots . pH 4 .7 . Diffuse boundary :
H 12- 0 Very dark brown (l0YR 2%2, moist) muck . Decomposed organic matter with no recognizable plant remains . Friable when moist . pH 5 .1 . Abrupt boundary :
IICg 0+ Gray (2~5Y 5/0, moist) silty clay, Massive structure .
L d Use
Drainage with provision for the maintenance of a water table at an appropriate depth is requ;_red, to prevent or delay the destru.^.tion of the organic layer after the organic soils are cultivated .
Seepage from the upland can often be corrected by means of intercepting tile lines or ditches bottomed on the underlying mineral soil . The height at which the water table is held affects crop production and the rate at which the organic layer subsides .
The water table should be maintained at the height required for optimum crop yields (which :nay s" a~~y with the crop) . A water table about 30 inches from -the surface at maximum is satisfactory for most crops . A water control system which permits progressive lowering of the water table as --he growing season progresses would be satisfactory,
These are not poor soils . If properly managed they are highly productive, particularl for specialized crops, such as vegetables and blueberries (20~ . The reclamation of organic soils is discussed under Triggs Peat .
PEAT SO?LS
Organic deposits surfaced by Sphagnum peat occupy small areas in Glen Valley . The peat occurs in a basin, which acts as a catchment for see~,age from the upland, and the water table is permanently near the surface . The organic material, which may be up to 10 feet deep or more, is raw near the surface and the subsurface layers have different degrees of decomposition . - 54 -
The Sphagnum moss and the bog water are lerw in carbonates and other minerals . High acidity is achieved by dominance of hydrogen ions derived from decomposition of organic matter. Thus, in the centre of the bog, acidity may become high enough in the bog water to sterilize it, and decay of the peat does not take place . This process builds the centre higher than the outer edges, where more decomposition occurs . The result is a raised bog or "Hochmoor" . In such places the undecomposed peat may be mined for commercial use .
In the surveyed area the Peat soils are represented by Triggs Peat .
TRIGGS PEAT
This soil type occupies small areas in Glen Valley, in the northwest part of Matsqui Municipality . The topography is generally depressional to near level, and elevations are between eight and 12 feet . A total of 155 acres were mapped as Triggs Peat, and an additional 90 acres were classified as a Triggs- Gibson complex .
The parent material consists of Sphagnum peat more than 36 inches thick, overlying mineral soil deposits of the Fraser flmod- plain . Beneath the surface layer of living plants the moss is well preserved9 and the water table is within a few inches of the surface . The peat is extremely acid .
Under natural conditions there is a thin tree cover of lodgepole pine, alder and bog birch . Shrubs and other plants include hardhack, labrador tea, cranberry and bracken . An undisturbed profile about 200 feet west of Lefeuvre-Mathers road junction was described as follows :
Depth Horizon Inches Descrip~tion
1 0- 5 Living Sphagnum moss and a litter of hard- hack and labrador tea leaves . Fibrous roots abundant . pH 4 .2 . Clear boundary :
2 5- 9 Brown (7 .5YR 5/4, moist) slightly decomposed Sphagnum moss . Fibrous roots abundant . pH 3 " 7. Abrupt boundary :
3 9-14 Dark reddish brown to dark-red (2 .5YR 3/4 - 3/6, moist). Partly decomposed Sphagnum moss . Roots abundant . pH 3 .4 . Clear boundary : - 55 -
Depth Horizon Inches Description
4 14-30 Very dusky red to dark reddish brown (2 .5YR 2/2 - 2/4, moist) partly decomposed Sphagnum MOSS . Slightly fibrous . Tree roots abun- dant . pH 3 .6 . Gradual boundary :
5 30+ Dusky red to dark reddish brown (2 .5YR 3/2 - 3/4, moist) slightly decomposed Sphagnum moss . Tree roots abundant . pH 4 .4 .
Land Use
At the time of the survey (1963) the entire acreage of Triggs peat was in the native state . This soil type could produce blue- berries, cranberries and vegetables if cleared and drained . Methods of reclamation are as follows :
Burning of peat or of logs and brush on peat should not be practiced .
Forest on peat should be bulldozed, and the trees allowed to rot a year before clearing. Shrubs and small trees may be plowed in .
(c) It is not advisable to plow for two or three years after breaking in order to give turned in plants a chance to decom- pose . During this period the water table should be kept low . Though liming at this stage may not be economical, it may accelerate decomposition .
(d) The use of a heavy roller is sometimes desirable to compact the soil, and improve the capillary rise of moisture .
(e) In subsequent years, adequate liming and fertilization will improve soil productivity . Rapid subsidence of the peat is not desirable . This can be reduced by keeping the water table as high as is feasible for crop production .
Inasmuch as severe restrictions on productivity are imposed by very poor drainage, extreme acidity and low content of available plant nutrients, only moderate crop yields can be expected for some years after reclamation . - 56 -
Upland Soils
ACID BROWN FOREST SOILS
These soils have low base saturation and an accumulation ~if organic matter which imparts a dark color to the surface horizons . Only the Orthic subgroup was found in Matsqui Municipality .
Orthic Acid Brown Forest Soils
This subgroup is characterized by a thin L-H horizon under- lain by a distinct dark-brown Ah horizon . There is a dark yellowish brown Bf horizon beneath . A transitional BC horizon may or may not be present, The Orthic subgroup is represented by the Bateman series .
BATEMAN SERIES
This series occurs chiefly on the slopes of the upland facing Prairie Matsqui and in minor areas scattered in Matsqui Municipality . The top,~graphy varies from undulating to steeply sloping ; slopes are from five to 30 percent . The range cf eleva- tion is from 50 to 225 feet . The classified areas are as follows :
Bateman series 30 acres Bateman-Calkins complex 77 11 Bateman-Ryder complex 67 " Bateman-Marble Hill (shallow phase) complex 13 "
The parent material consists of loess which overlies glacial outwash, glacial till and glaciolacustrine deposits (13) . The surface texture varies from loam to silt loam and the underlying glacial drift varies from gravelly sandy loam to loam7 and minor silty clay loam.
The Bateman series occurs where moisture is available ; as in association with Calkins series on seepage slopes and on north-facing slopes . Though associated with poorly drained Calkins soils, the Bateman series is well drained . Soil moisture conditions encourage the earthworm activity responsible for the development of an Ah horizon .
These are Orthic Acid Brown Forest soils which developed under a mainly deciduous forest of alder, willow, vine maple, and scattered Lcuglas fir and cedar . There is a rich understory of shrubs and smaller plan'-s . An undisturbed profile about 200 yards southwest of the Old Clay'~urn-Clayuurn road junction was described as follows : -57-
Depth Horizon Inches Description
L-H 2- 0 Deciduous leaves and dead grass .
Ah 0- 9 Dark grayish brown to brown (l0YR 4/2 - 4/39 dry) or dark-brown (7 .5YR 3/2, moist) silt loam. Moderate, fine to medium subangular blocky breaking to medium granular structure . Friable when moist . Roots cammon . pH 5 .6 . Abrupt boundary :
Bf1 9-20 Brown to light-brown (7 .5YR 5/4 - 6/4, dry) or brown to dark-brown (7 .5YR 4/4, moist) silt loam . Weak, medium subangular blocky structure . Friable when moist . Occasional roots, pH 6 .3 . Diffuse boundary :
Bf 2 20-25 Yellowish-brown (l0YR 5/4, dry) or dark yellowish brown (10YR 4/4, moist) silt loam. Weak, medium subangular blocky structure . Friable when moist . Occasional roots . pH 6~0 . Clear boundary :
IICl 25-35 Gravelly loam of variegated colors . Single- grained . Loose when moist . Occasional roots . pH 6 .0 . Clear boundary :
IIC2 35+ Gravelly sandy loam of variegated colors . Single-grained . Loose when moist . pH 6 .0 .
Land Use
Most of the mapped acreage was native at the time of the survey (1963), or used for rough pasture . Minor areas are cleared and show a good growth of grasses and clovers .
Inasmuch as the Bateman soils are usually near seepage areas, the soil moisture supply appears to be adequate . Manage- ment is governed by the management required for the major soil type in each complex. The heavy tree cover makes clearing and reclamation costly.
CONCRET IONARY BROWN SOILS
This group re-,embles Acid Brown Wooded soils, except for the presence of magnetic iron concretions (shot) in the upper part of the solum . The Concretionary Brown soils support a heavy forest - 58 - of coniferous trees and deciduous secondary growth . Only the Orthic subgroup was found in Matsqui IIZunicipality.
Orthic Concretionary Brown Soils
This subgroup has an L-H horizon of forest litter which is underlain by a brownish Bfcc horizon containing numerous iron concretions or "shot" . In turn the Bfcc horizon is underlain by a transitional BC or C horizon . There is no marked translocation of sesquioxides or clay . The representatives in Matsqui Municipality are the Nicholson silt loam and the Abbotsford series .
NICHOLSON SILT LOAM
This soil type occupies scattered areas in the western part of Matsqui Municipality at from 300 to 400 feet elevations . The topography varies from very gently undulating to undulating ; slopes are from two to nine percent .
The Nicholson silt loam occurs in association with the Whatcom and Scat series and was mapped as complexes with them . The following are acreages of Nicholson silt loam and other soils in which the Nicholson soil type occupies most of the areas :
Nicholson silt loam 108 acres N icholson-Whatcom complex 33 " Nicholson-Whatcom-Scat complex 144 " Nicholson-Scat-Whatcom complex 160 " Nicholson-Whatcom (shallow phase)-Whatcom (anthropic pahse) complex 197 'r Nicholson-Whatcom (anthropic phase) complex 83 " iJicholson-Whatcom (anthropic phase)-Scat complex 89
In addition to the above complexes there are minor ones listed in Table 2 .
The Nicholson silt loam is derived from Whatcom glacio- marine .deposits . The average surface texture is silt loam, but there are minor areas of loam . Numerous, hard iron concretions occur in the upper part of the solum . A few stones are present in the profile, but not enough to hinder cultivation .
Drainage is from well to imperfect . Soil permeability is good in the solum, but the parent material beneath is impervious . A perched water table is indicated in some places by mottling in the lower part of the solum and upper part of the parent material . The imperfectly drained areas are generally associated with the Scat series .
The Nicholson silt loam is an Orthic Concretionary Brown soil . It developed under the coast forest of Douglas f irg hemlock - 59 - and cedar, which has been removed and replaced by dense deciduous growth . Uncleared areas support stands of alder, birch, cotton- wood and scattered fir, and an understory of blackberry, salmon- berry, thimbleberry, nettles, and bracken . A relatively undis- turbed profile was given the following description :
Depth Horizon Inches Descriktion
L-H 2- 0 Raw to well decomposed leaves, twigs and other organic material . pH 5 .3 .
Ahj 0- 1 Dark grayish brown (l0YR 4/2~ dry) or dark- brown (l0YR 3/3, moist) silt loam . Weak, fine subangular blocky structure . Very friable when moist . Roots abundant . pH 5 .6 . Abrupt boundary :
Bfccl 1- 7 Light-brown to brown (7 .5YR 6/4 - 5/4, dry) or brown to dark-brown (7 .5YR 4/4, moist) silt loam . Weak, fine subangular blocky structure . Numerous hard iron concretions . Very friable when moist . Roots abundant . pH 5 " 7 . Gradual boundary :
Bfcc2 7-14 Light-brown (7 .5YR 6/4, dry) or brown (7 .5YR 5/4, moist) silt loam . Weak, medium suban- gular blocky structure . Numerous to moderate number of concretions . Very friable when moist, Roots abundant, pH 5 .5 . Gradual boundary :
BC 14-18 Brown (l0YR 5/3, dry) or brown to dark-brown (7 " 5YR 4/2, moist) silt loam . Weak, fine subangular blocky structure . Scattered concretions, Very friable when moist . Roots common . pH 5 .6 . Abrupt boundary :
C1 18-28 Pale-brown (l0YR 6/3, dry) or brown (l0YR 5/3, moist) sandy clay loam . Massive . A few medium, distinct, dark yellowish brown (l0YR 4/4, moist) mottles . Very firm when moist . Occasional roots . pH 6 .6 . Gradual boundary :
C2 28+ Light brownish gray (l0YR 6/2, dry) or grayish-brown (l0YR 5/2, moist) silty clay loam . Massive . Common, distinct, strong- brown (7 .5YR 5/6, moist) mottles . Extremely firm when moist . pH 6 .5 . -60-
Land Use
A large acreage of the Nicholson silt loam and associated complexes is in the native state, costly to reclaim . Where cultivated these soils are used chiefly to produce pasture and forage . When cultivated the soils have good physical properties and a high moisture-holding capacity .
When the land is being cleared, care should be taken not to remove the topsoil . If the parent material is exposed, it takes years of good management to make it productive . In many places the Nicholson silt loam is associated with the poorly drained Scat series~ which makes early spring cultivation difficult . When dry farmed these soils give good yields of early maturing crops, but late maturing ones would benefit from irrigation .
ABBO'SSFORD SERIES
This series occupies areas in the southern part of Matsqui Municipality, from Clearbrook Road west to the municipal boundary. The topography is level to gently undulating with slopes to three percent, and there is very hummocky micro-relief caused by up- rooting trees . The elevations range from 150 to 200 feet . The Abbotsford soils and associates are as follows :
Abbotsford loam and gravelly loam 1,408 acres Abbotsford loam 85 Abbotsford gravelly loam 1,448 " Abbotsford gravelly loam (stony phase) 866 " Abbotsford-Defehr complex 107 " Abbotsford-Columbia complex 715 " Abbotsford series (anthropic phase) 715 " Abbotsford-Marble Hill complex 522 " Abbotsford-Lehman complex 81
The Abbotsford soils are derived from shallow loess . This overlies and is mixed in the upper 24 inches of glacial outwash. The latter consists of sorted gravel interbedded with medium and coarse sands . There is glacial till at depths from which a perched water table is derived . Water saturates the sands and gravel above it, thus forming an aquifer that could supply domestic and irrigation water.
The surface textures are loam in areas of thick loess, and gravelly loam where the loess is thin, Excessively stony areas were separated as a stony phase . The uprooting of trees has mixed gravel into the loess in places, making the loam and gravelly loam difficult to separate . The soils are well to rapidly drained, except in small areas affected by continuous seepage from higher elevations . These are Orthic Concretionary Brown soils with a native cover of scattered Douglas fir, lodgepole pine, birch, alder, and willow, and an understory of Oregon grape, thimbleberry, red huckleberry, blackberry, and grasses . An undisturbed profile about 100 yards northeast of the Boundary-Hamm road junction was described as follows :
Depth Horizon Inches Description
L-H 12- 0 Organic litter composed of Leaves, needles and a root mat . pH 5 .7 .
Bf ccl 0- 4 Yellowish-brown (l0YR 5/6, dry) or dark- brown (7 .5YR 4/4, moist) loam . Numerous cemented iron concretions . Weak, very fine subangular blocky structure . Friable when moist . Roots common . pH 5 .7 . Clear boundary :
Bfcc2 4-11 Yellowish-brown (l0YR 5/6, dry) or dark yellowish brown (l0YR 4/4 - 5/4, moist) loam . Numerous cemented iron concretions . Weak, very fine sub,angular blocky structure . Very friable when moist . Roots common . pH 5 .9 . Gradual boundary :
BC 11-16 Yellowish-brown (l0YR 5/4, dry or 5/8, moist) loam. Scattered iron concretions . Weak, very fine subangular blocky structure . Very friable when moist . Roots common . pH 6 .0 . Clear boundary :
CIIC 16-24 Light yellowish brown (l0YR 6/4, moist) gravelly sandy loam . Massive . Friable when moist . Occasional roots . pH 6 .0 . Abrupt boundary :
IIC 24+ Gravelly sand of varied colors . Single- grained . Loose when moist . Occasional roots . pH 5 .8 .
Land Use
Where uncleared the Abbotsford soils have a fairly light forest cover, but large stumps are evidence that a heavy forest formerly existed . The stumps make land clearing costly .
One cut of hay is generally obtained when the land is dry farmed . Inasmuch as the soil is too droughty to carry productive -62- pastures through the summer, dairying is limited without irriga- tion .
An irrigation water supply is available within 30 feet of the surface . This is not cornraonly used . Good drainage makes these soils desirable for the production of small fruits and vegetables . Though yields are low when dry farmed, these soils would be productive and valuable if irrigated . In the stony phase, the stones interfere with cultivation, and require clear- ing .
ACID BROWN WOODED SOILS
Forested soils of low base status and no distinct eluvial or illuvial horizons are grouped as Acid Brown Wooded soils . They developed under a dense coast forest, are well to imperfectly drained, and occupy most of the upland area in Matsqui Municipality .
The upper part of the solum is characterized by a bright reddish brown color, that fades with depth . There is a thin layer of forest litter on the surface . Orthic, Gleyed and Degraded subgroups were found .
Orthic Acid Brown Wooded Soils
Beneath a thin L-H horizon of forest litter there is a reddish-brown Bf horizon . The soils are well drained and a transi- tional BC horizon may be present,
This subgroup is represented by the Whatcom, Columbia, Aidergrove, Peardonville, Laxton, Marble Hill, and Ryder series, and the Poignant complex .
Gleyed- Acid Brown Wooded Soils
These soils have characteristics similar to those of the Orthic subgroup, except for gleying and mottling in the lower part of the solum caused by a fluctuating water table . The only representative is the Defehr series .
Degraded Acid Brown Wooded Soils
In this subgroup slight movements of organic matter and ses- quioxides have occurred . These are expressed by a light colored, discontinuous Aej horizon a quarter to an inch thick, underlain by an illuvial reddish-brown Bf horizon less than eight inches thick that contains a slight accumulation of organic matter and sesquioxides . The only representative is the Cox series . -63-
Orthic Acid Brown Wooded Soils
WHATCOTv1 SILT LOAM
This soil occupies a major acreage west from Mt . Lehman road to the municipal boundary . The topography varies . The forms are from very gently undulating to very steeply sloping and gently rolling to rolling . Though slopes range from two to 40 percent, most of the area has slopes from six to 15 percent . The eleva- tions are from 275 to 450 feet . The following Whatcom soils and associated complexes were mapped :
Whatcom silt loam 2,135 acres Whatcom-Scat complex 4,873 Whatcom-Ryder-Scat complex 804 " Whatcom-Whatcom (shallow phase)-Scat complex 987 " Whatcom-Scat-Nicholson complex 594 " Whatcom (shallow phase)-Whatcom-Scat complex 591 " Whatcom (shallow phase)-Columbia-Whatcom complex 408 "
(Minor additional complexes are listed in Table 2 .)
The soil is derived from Whatcom glacio-marine deposits from 25 to 300 feet thick . The textures of this material are stony silty clay, silty clay, clay and silt . The unweathered parent material is massive, compact, hard and very slowly permeable . In some areas there may be a shallow overlay of loess, but this can- not be identified or separated . The surface texture is silt loam, with minor inclusions of loam .
Where the depth to unweathered parent material is less than 18 inches, the soil was mapped as a shallow phase . In some places the solum has been removed, by improper methods of land clearing and levelling, from knolls and ridge tops, and the parent material is exposed . Such areas were mapped as an anthro- pic phase .
This well to moderately well drained Orthic Acid Brown Wooded soil has good permeability above the tight parent material . There are scattered iron concretions, many soft, in the upper part of the solum . Minor areas of the Gleyed subgroup on seepage slopes and near Scat soil boundaries were included .
The original forest consisted of hemlock, cedar and Douglas fir ; the deciduous trees and shrubs being well shaded down . This forest was destroyed and replaced by alder, birch, maple and a shrub layer of hazelnut, thimbleberry, salmonberry and others . Fireweed, nettle and bracken are common . An undisturbed profile about 300 yards northeast of the Lefeuvre-Starr road junction was given the following description : - 64 -
Depth Horizon Inches Description
L-H 2- 0 Raw to well decomposed leaves, twigs and other organic matter . pH 4 .0 .
Ahj 0- 1 Dark grayish brown (l0YR 4/2, dry) or dark-- brown (l0YR 3/3, moist) silt loam . Weak, fine subangular blocky structure . Very friable when moist . Roots abundant . pH 5 .0 . Clear boundary :
Bfh 1- 4 Reddish-brown (5YR 5/4, dry) or dark reddish brown (5YR 3/4, moist) silt loam . Weak, fine subangular blocky structure . Scattered iron concretions . Very friable when moist . Roots abucidant . pH 5 .1 . Gardual boundary :
Bfl 4-13 Brown (7 .5YR 5/4, dry) or brown to dark- brown (7 .5YR 4/4, moist) silt loam . Weak, fine subangular blocky structure . Scattered small concretions . Very friable when moist . Roots abundant . pH 5 .4 . Diffuse boundary : .
Bf2 13-21 Brown to pale-brown (1GYR 5/3 - 6/3, dry) or dark yellowish brown (10YR 4/4, moist) silt loam . Moderate, medium subangular blocky structure . Scattered very fine concretions . Friable when moist . Roots common . pH 5 .6 . Gradual boundary :
BC 21-29 Pale-brown (l0YR 6/3, dry) or dark yellowish brown (l0YR 4/4, moist) silty clay loam . Moderate, medium subangular blocky structure . A few medium, faint, strong-brown (7 .5YR 5/6, moist) mottles . Firm when moist . Occasional roots . pH 5 .7 . Clear boundary :
C 29+ Pale-brown to very pale brown (10YR 6/3 - 7/3, dry) or brown to yellowish-brown (l0YR 5/3 - 5/4, moist) silty clay loam. Massive to strong, very coarse pseudo-prismatic structure . Common, medium, distinct, brown to dark-brown (7 .5YR 4/4, moist) mottles . A few scattered stones . Extremely firm when moist . pH 5 .3 . -65-
L d Use
Most of the cleared acreage is in pasture and forage crops, for dairying, but the soil can be used for a wide range of other crops . There is a bulb producing area at Bradner, and scattered areas are in small fruits, nursery stock and vegetables .
A large acreage is still uncleared, because of the high clearing cost . When the land is being cleared, care should be taken not to expose the compact parent material . It would take years of manure and fertilizer applications and cultivations to make exposed parent material productive . When cleared and culti- vated, the Whatcom silt loam is one of the best dry farming soils on the upland . However, irrigation would maintain production in the dry season .
In many areas this soil is associated with the poorly drained Scat series . In such places early spring and wet season cultivation is difficult .
COLUMBIA SERIES
Most of the soils mapped as Columbia series and associates occupy southwestern areas of the upland in Matsqui Municipality . There are minor acreages scattered in the western section . The topography varies from very gently sloping and undulating to steeply sloping ; the slopes are from two to over 40 percent . Most of the acreage lies between 175 and 250 elevations, with a few small areas lower . The acreages of the Columbia series and associated soils, in which the Columbia series dominates, are as follows :
Columbia series 329 acres Columbia-Abbotsford complex 420 " Columbia-Peardonville complex 235 ' Columbia-Whatcom (shallow phase) complex 208 " Columbia-Aldergrove complex 142 " Columbia-Defehr complex 56 " Columbia-Elk complex 66 " Columbia-Lynden complex 26 " Columbia-Abbotsford-Defehr complex 22 "
The Columbia series is derived from glacial outwash deposits . These consist of stratified, glacial, recessional and pitted sands and gravel up to 25 feet thick . It is derived also from exposures of Huntington gravels (13) on the slopes of gullies . The surface textures vary from loam to gravelly loamy sand . Surface stone is variable, and associated chiefly with uprooting of trees and blasting of stumps, which brought stones to the surface . Scattered iron concretions (many are soft) occur in the upper part of the solum . -66-
This is a well to rapidly drained Orthic Acid Brown Wooded soil . The present tree cover is moderate . It consists of scattered Douglas fir, alder, willow, vine maple, and cottonwood . Other growth is composed of Oregon grape, thimbleberry, black- berry, fireweed, vetch, and bracken . An undisturbed profile about one-half mile northwest of the Lefeuvre-Huntington road junction was described as follows :
Depth Horizon Inches Description
L-H 1- 0 Raw to well decomposed leaves, needles and other organic litter . pH 5 .6 .
Bfh 0- 4 Brown (7 .5YR 5/4, dry) or dark-brown to brown (7 .5YR 4/2 - 4/4, moist) sandy loam . Weak, fine subangular blocky structure . Scattered iron concretions . Friable when moist . Roots abundant . pH 5 .7 . Clear boundary :
Bfl 4-12 Brown (7 .5YR 5/4, dry) or reddish-brown (5YR 4/4, moist) sandy loam . Weak, fine subangular blocky structure . Scattered iron concretions . Friable when moist . Roots common . pH 5 .7 . Gradual boundary :
Bf2 12-18 Brown to yellowish-brown (l0YR 5/3 - 5/4, dry) or dark yellowish brown (l0YR 4/4, moist) gravelly sandy loam . Weak, fine subangular blocky breaking to single-grained structure . Occasional iron concretions . Very friable when moist . Roots abundant . pH 5 .6 . Clear boundary :
IIC1 18-26 Sandy gravel of variegated colors, Single- grained . A few iron stains . Loose when moist . Occasional roots . pH 5 .7 . Clear boundary :
1102 26+ Sandy gravel of variegated colors . Single- grained . Loose when moist . Occasional roots . pH 5 .8 .
Land Use
The coarse textured Columbia series has low moisture-holding and cation exchange capacities . Where the topography is moderate and irrigation water available these well drained soils are capable of producing average yields of vegetables and small fruits . For most crops, irrigation is necessary . Under dry farming one poor crop of forage may be expected, and pasture dries in early summer. Much of the steeply sloping area is used for grazing . Stoniness may be a problem on the coarser textured areas, and would require stone clearing . Underlying sands and gravels are a source of materials for construction ; gravel pits are common in this series .
ALDERGROVE SERIES
In Matsqui Municipality this series occupies scattered areas between Lefeuvre Road and the west municipal boundary . The topography ranges from very gently sloping and undulating to very strongly rolling ; slopes are from two to 30 percent . Elevations are from 200 to 350 feet . All of the Aldergrove series was mapped in association with other soils as follows :
Aldergrove-Whatcom complex 177 Aldergrove-Nicholson complex 52 Aldergrove-Scat-Whatcom complex 51 Aldergrove-Whatcom (shallow phase)-Scat complex 37
This soil is derived from shallow glacial outwash sands and gravels that ov--rlie Whatcom glacio-marine deposits . The thick- ness of this overlay is from one to six feet . The surface tex- tures are loam, gravelly loam, and sandy loam .
The profile is well to moderately well drained . There is some drainage restriction where the overlay is only one to two feet thick . This is indicated by faint mottling in the C and IIC horizons . In areas having gravelly overlay a few cobbles may be found in the profile .
This is an Orthic Acid Brown Wooded soil . The original climax forest was composed chiefly of hemlock, cedar and Douglas fir . This forest is gone and the regrowth consists of alder, vine maple, scattered birch and an understory of huckleberry, blackberry, nettles, trillium, and others . Large stumps of the original forest are common . An undisturbed profile on a 15 percent slope, about 200 yards west of the Swenson-Station road junction was described as follows :
Depth Horizon Inches Description
L-H lti- 0 Raw and partly decomposed leaves, twigs and other litter . Some charcoal . pH 5 .5 .
Bfh 0- 4 Brown (7 .5YR 5/4, dry) or dark reddish brown (5YR 3/29 moist) loam . Weak, fine to medium granular structure . Scattered iron concretions . Very friable when moist . Roots abundant . pH 5 .8 . Clear boundary : - 68 -
Depth Horizon Inches Description
Bfl 4-13 Yellowish-brown (l0YR 5/4, dry) or reddish- brown (5YR 4/3, moist) loam . Weak, fine subangular blocky structure . Scattered iron concretions . Very friable when moist . Roots abundant . pH 5 .9 . Gradual boundary :
Bf2 13-22 Yellowish-brown (l0YR 5/4 - 5/6, dry) or reddish-brown (5YR 4/4, moist) sandy loam. Weak, fine subangular blocky structure . Very friable when moist . Roots abundant . pH 6 .0 . Gradual boundary :
IIBC 22-31 Pinkish-gray (5YR 6/2, dry) or dark reddish gray (5YR 4/2, moist) loamy sand or fine sand . Weak, fine subangular blocky breaking to single-grain structure . Very friable when moist . Roots common . pH 6 .1 . Gradual boundary :
IN 31-43 Medium sand of variegated colors . Single- grained . Lnose when moist . Occasional roots . pH 6 .1 . Abrupt boundary :
IIIC 43+ Light brownish gray (l0YR 6/2, dry) or grayish-brown (l0YR 5/2, moist) silty clay . Moderate, medium pseudo-subangular blocky structure . Very friable when moist . Occasional roots . pH 5 .0 .
Land Use
When the topography is not severe, cultivated areas are used for the production of small fruits . This soil is fairly drought resistant because moisture is available to plant roots at the top of the underlying glacio-marine stratum . Areas of steeply slop- ing and rolling land are used for spring and early summer pasture, but they dry out in midsummer. To get optimum yields, irrigation is required, but a water supply for this purpose may be difficult to obtain .
On Aldergrove-Whatcom and Aldergrove-Nicholson complexes the management is usually determined by the best management for any one of the soils in the given complex . These soils are suitable for nurseries . The dense cover of native vegetation and old stumps are costly to clear. -69-
POIGNANT SOIL COMPLEX
This complex occupies very steep slopes on Sumas Mountain . The topography varies from smooth hilly to extremely hilly ; slopes are from 35 to 65 percent . The elevations are from 100 to 2,500 feet . The soils were mapped as follows :
Poignant-Ryder (shallow phase)-Rock Outcrop complex 1,404 acres Poignant-Rock Outcrop complex 151 " Poignant-Rock Outcrop-Ryder (shallow phase) complex 1,268 "
The parent material is chiefly colluvium . It consists of a mixture of talus from bedrock, weathered glacial till and loess, all of which was mixed by down-slope creep . Rock outcroppings are common .
The stabilized slopes have developed an Orthic Acid Brown Wooded soil profile . This varies to Orthic Regosol on the most recently eroded material . The soil texture varies from silt loam to stony gravelly sand . Angular stones are common and shallow profiles over bedrock occur . Drainage is generally good, because of the steep slopes . The vegetation is composed of Douglas fir, maple, alder, willow, scattered cedar, salmonberry, thimbleberry, and scattered grass . One of many soils in this complex was described as follows :
Depth Horizon Inches Description
L-H 2- 0 Leaves, needles, other organic litter and rock fragments . pH 5 .7 .
Bf 0- 6 Yellowish-brown (l0YR 5/4, moist) stony loam . Very weak, medium subangular blocky structure . Rock fragments mixed with loess . This horizon discontinuous . pH 5 .9 . Gradual boundary :
BC 6-13 Brown (l0YR 5/3, moist) stony loam . Struc- tureless . Numerous coarse rock fragments . pH 6 .0 . Abrupt boundary :
Bedrock,
Land Use
The Poignant complex is nonarable> In many places it is also poor land for forest, because of steep slopes, shallow profile to bedrock, and associated bedrock exposures .
Moisture-holding capacity of the soil is low. Trees grow well only if protected behin~'. ou .croNpings of bedrock or in areas of seepage . -70-
PEARDONVILLE SERIES
The Peardonville soils occur in Matsqui Municipality in two areas . One area, about a mile wide, is near the Mt . Lehman Road and old Highway No . 1, trending southwest to Langley Municipality . The other occupies a stretch of upland about one-half mile wide overlooking the west and southwest section of Matsqui Prairie . The topography varies from undulating and gently rolling slopes to nine percent to 30 percent slopes and strongly rolling land . The elevations lie between 175 and 325 feet . The Peardonville series and associated soils in which it is dominant were mapped as follows :
Peardonville series 470 acres Peardonville-Peardonville (stony phase) complex 736 Peardonville (stony phase)-Peardonville-Ryder (shallow phase) complex 250 " Peardonville (stony phase)-Peardonville complex 85 " Peardonville-Calkins complex 49 ' Peardonville-Columbia complex 29 "
The parent material consists of loess underlain by glacial drift . The drift consists of stratified gravel and sands, till and glacio-marine deposits . The thickness of the loess varies from about six inches on knolls and ridges to over 24 in depres- sions . The variations in the soil profile include a variable loess cover, and the drift components . These are so intimate as to preclude separation .
Surface textures are silt loam and stony loam . The stony loam is on the knolls and ridges, and the silt loam in depres- sions . The stone content of the profile ranges from none at all to very stony .
This well drained Orthic Acid Brown Wooded soil originally supported the climax coast forest, which has been destroyed . In uncleared areas the present vegetation is composed of alder, maple, hazelnut, thimbleberry, salmonberry, nettle, bracken, and others in a dense stand . An undisturbed profile about one-half mile north, 200 yards east of the Peardonville-Ross road junction was described as follows :
Depth Horizon Inches D escription
L-H 1- 0 Leaves, twigs and other organic material, raw to well decomposed . pH 4 .7 .
Bfh 0- 6 Brown (l0YR 5/3, dry) or dark yellowish brown (l0YR 3/4, moist) silt loam . Weak, fine subangular blocky structure . Scattered iron concretions . Very friable when moist . Roots abundant . pH 5 .4 . Clear boundary : Depth Horizon Inches Description
Bf 6-12 Brown (l0YR 5/3, dry) or brown to dark-brown (7 .5YR 4/4, moist) loam . Weak, fine subangu- lar blocky structure . Scattered iron concre- tions . Very friable when moist . Roots common . pH 5 .5 . Gradual boundary :
IICl 12-23 Light yellowish brown (2 .5Y 6/4, dry) or olive-brown (2 .5Y 4/4, moist) sandy loam . Moderate, medium subangular blocky structure . Friable when moist . Occasional roots . pH 5 .9 . Diffuse boundary :
IIC2 23-44 Light brownish gray (2 .5Y 6/2, dry) or dark grayish brown to grayish-brown (2 .5Y 4/2 - 5/2, moist) loamy sand . Weak, fine subangu- lar blocky breaking to single-grain structure . Fragments of sandy loam till . Loose when moist . Occasional roots . pH 6 .1 . Diffuse boundary :
IIC3 44+ Light brownish gray (2 .5Y 6/2, dry) or grayish-brown to olive-brown (2 .5Y 5/2 - 4/4, moist) medium sand and fine gravel con- taining fragments of sandy loam till . Single-grained . Loose when moist . pH 6 .2 .
Land Use
Management is complicated . Variability of texture beneath the loess topsoil affects moisture-holding capacity and the perco- lation rate . Some areas are fairly productive when dry farmed ; others are greatly in need of irrigation . Irrigation is necessary for the production of small fruits . Clearing is costly .
In many areas rough topography limits land use to pasture, but cultivation requires little power where the land is undulating . The depth to a water supply for irrigation varies with the thick- ness of till or glacio-marine deposits . The aquifer beneath has not been well explored, hence the flow rate and kind of well that would be most satisfactory have not bee determined .
LAXTON SERIES
This series occupies a narrow north-south strip from the 49th parallel to Matsqui Prairie, between Gladwin and PIIcCallum roads, and scattered areas around Matsqui Prairie . The topography is gently to strongly rolling ; slopes are from six to 40 percent . - 72 -
Elevations range from 70 to 275 feet . The Laxton series and associates were mapped as follows :
Laxton series 76 acres Laxton-Marble Hill complex 231 " Laxton-Marble Hill (shallow phase)-Marble Hill complex 203 " Laxton-Marble Hill-Marble Hill (shallow phase) complex 175 " Laxton-Ryder-Bateman complex 129
The Laxton soils are derived from shallow loess that overlies duned fine sands and minor areas of lacustrine sand on the upland around Matsqui Prairie . Surface textures are loam and silt loam, and minor very fine sandy loam . In places, erosion of the loess has brought the underlying sand near the surface . Scattered cemented layers about one-half inch thick of precipitated sesqui- oxides occur up to depths of seven feet or more .
The Laxton series is a rapidly drained Orthic Acid Brown Wooded soil . Scattered iron concretions occur in the upper part of the solum . In uncleared areas the present vegetation consists of scatt~ered Douglas fir, alder, maple, birch, and a lower story of rose, Oregon grape, red huckleberry, carrot leaf, oxeye daisy, and scattered grass . An undisturbed profile on a ridge about 200 yards east of the new Highway No .l-Gladwin road junction was described as follows :
Depth Horizon Inches Description
L-H 2- 0 Leaves, grasses and other organic litter, partly decomposed . pH 5 .7 .
Bfh 0- 5 Strong-brown (7 .5YR 5/6, dry) or brown (7 .5YR 4/4, moist) loam . Weak, very fine subangular blocky structure . Scattered iron concretions . Very friable when moist . Roots common . DH 6 .0 . Gradual boundary :
BC 5-11 Yellowish-brown (l0YR 5/6 - 5/8, dry) or brown (7 .5YR 4/4, moist) very fine sandy loam . Weak, very fine subangular blocky structure . Very friable when moist . Roots common . pH 6 .0 . Gradual boundary :
IIC1 11-17 Light yellowish brown (lOYR 6/4, dry) or yellowish-brown (l0YR 5/6, moist) loamy fine sand . Single-grained. Iron staining on some sand grains . Very friable when moist . Occasional roots . pH 6 .1 . Diffuse boundary : -73-
Depth Horizon Inches Description
IIC2 17-29 Pale-olive (5Y 6/3, dry) or light olive brown (2 .5Y 5/4, moist) very fine sand . Single- grained . Iron staining on some sand grains . Very friable when moist . Occasional roots . pH 6 .1 . Diffuse boundary :
IIC3 29+ Pale-olive to pale-yellow (5Y 6/3 - 7/3, dry) or light yellowish brown to light olive brown (2 .5Y 6/4 - 5/4, moist) fine sand . Single- grained . Iron staining on some sand grains . Friable when moist . Occasional roots . pH 6 .1 .
Land Use
The Laxton soils are droughty . At the time of the survey (1963) they were used chiefly for rough pasture . Minor, scattered acreages were producing small fruits . The moisture-holding capacity is low because of the sandy substratum . These soils, except for early spring pasture, require irrigation . With irri- gation they would produce good crops of hay and small fruits . Though cultivation takes little power, the underlying sand should not be brought to the surface if possible . They are also suitable for the sites of buildings .
MARBLE HILL SERIES
The Marble Hill soils are distinguished from the Ryder series by a substratum of coarse textured glacial outwash . They occupy areas east of Clearbrook Road in Matsqui Municipality and scat- tered areas on Sumas Mountain . The topography is from undulating to moderately hilly ; slopes are from three to 40 percent . Eleva- tions are from 75 to 300 feet ; minor areas occur up to 900 feet . The series and associates in which it has most of the acreage, are as follows :
Marble Hill series 1,352 acres Marble Hill series (shallow and deep phase) 11589 n Marble Hill loam 682 " Marble Hill-Marble Hill (shallow phase) complex 1,081 " Marble Hill-Ryder complex 134 " Marble Hill-Calkins complex 317 Marble Hill-Laxton complex 246 "
(Additional minor complexes are listed in Table 2 .) -74-
The Marble Hill soils are derived from loess that overlies glacial outwash ranging in texture from medium sand to coarse gravelly sandy loam . Surface textures are loam and silt loam, with minor areas of shallow phase stony loam . As with the Ryder series, the Marble Hill shallow phase has less than 18 inches of loess, and this phase is confined to ridges, knolls and steep slnpes. The deep phase, which has more than 18 inches of loess, occupies areas of less severe topography, and depressions . Scattered stones at the surface and spotty textures, are due to uprooting of trees .
This well to rapidly drained Orthic Acid Brown Wooded soil has scattered, more or less soft, iron concretions in the upper part of the solum . The soil developed under a climax forest, but now the vegetation consists of a dense ccver of Douglas fir, hemlock, maple, alder, cottonwood, and willow, with undercover of blackberry, thimbleberry, Oregon grape, salal, red-osier dogwood, bracken, and others . An undisturbed profile 200 yards east of Clearbrook Road and one-quarter mile north of the 49th parallel was described as follows :
Depth Horizon Inches Description
L-H 1-i- 0 Leaves, grass, needles and other organic litter, partly decomposed . pH 5 .8 .
Bfh 0- 4 Yellowish-brown (l0YR 5/6 - 5/8, dry) or strong-brown (7 .5YR 5/6, moist) loam . Weak, fine subangular blocky structure . Scattered iron concretions . Very friable when moist . Roots common, pH 5 .9 . Clear boundary :
Bf 4-11 Yellowish-brown (l0YR 5/6 - 5/8, dry) or brown to strong-brown (7 .5YR 5/4 - 5/6, moist) loam . Weak, very fine subangular blocky structure . Scattered iron concre- tions . Very friable when moist . Roots common . pH 5 .9 . Gradual boundary :
BC 11-16 Yellowish-brown (l0YR 5/4 - 5/6, dry) or brown (,5YR 5/4, moist) silt loam . Weak, very fine subangular blocky structure . Very friable when moist . Roots common . pH 5 .7 . Diffuse boundary : - 75 -
Depth Horizon Inches Description
C 16-24 LiLht yellowish brown (l0YR 6/4, dry) or brown (7 .5YR 5/4, moist) loam. weak, pseudo- subangular blocky structure . Very friable when moist . Occasional roots . pH 5 .7 . Gradual boundary :
C-IIC 24-30 Light yellowish brown (l0YR 6/4, dry) or yellowish-brown (l0YR 5/4, moist) gravelly loam . Weak, pseudo-subangular blocky struc- ture . Very friable when moist . Occasional roots . pH 5 .7 . Abrupt boundary :
IN 30+ Gravelly sand of variable colors . Single- grained . Loose when moist . pH 5 .8 .
Land Use
Utilization is similar to that of the Ryder soils . However, the topography is not as severe, so a larger percentage of the land could be farmed .
Most of the cleared acreage is dry farmed, and good yields of early maturing crops are possible . There is a potential groundwater aquifer which may be developed as a source of irriga- tion water. Soil productivity, particularly of the shallow phase, could be increased by irrigation . The Marble Hill soils are suitable for vegetables and small fruits, especially when irrigated .
RYDER SERIES
This series occupies scattered areas in the eastern half of the upland in Matsqui PJunicipality, and on Sumas Mountain . The topography varies from gently rolling to hilly ; minimum slopes are six and maximum ones 60 percent . On Sumas Mountain extemely sloping, hilly topography has bedrock outcroppings . The range of elevation is from 75 to 2,000 feet . The Ryder series and those associated in lesser acreage were mapped as follows :
Ryder series 1,201 acres Ryder silt loam 356 " Ryder-Ryder shallow phase complex 3,231 " Ryder-4Vhatcom-Calkins complex 1,158 " Ryder shallow phase-Ryder complex 1,105 " Ryder shallow phase-Poignant-Rock Outcrop complex 1,792 " Ryder shallow phase-Ryder-Poignant complex 646 "
(Additional minor complexes are listed in Table 2 .) -76-
The Ryder soils are derived from loess, and overlie glacial till and glaciolacustrine deposits . Surface textures are loam and silt loam. Of the underlying materials the till has gravelly sandy loam and the glaciolacustrine deposits silty clay loam tex- tures . Where these materials are within 18 inches of the surface the Ryder soils were mapped as a shallow phase . This phase usually occupies ridges and slopes subject to erosion . The deep phase occurs in level areas and depressions, where soil can accumulate by down-hill movement . There are scattered stones where uprooting trees have raised them from underlying till .
These Orthic Acid Brown Wooded soils are moderately well to well drained . They developed under Douglas fir-cedar-hemlock forest . The present vegetation, mostly deciduous, includes maple, alder, cottonwood, and willow and an understory of salal, thimbleberry, red-osier dogwood ; bracken, and others . An undis- turbed profile about 100 yards southwest of the Bevan-Emerson road junction was described as follows :
Depth Horizon Inches Description
L-H 12- 0 Leaves, needles, bracken and other organic litter. pH 5 .8 .
Bfh 0- 7 Stron~-brown (7 .5YR 5/6, dry) or reddish- brown (5YR 4/4, moist) loam . Weak, fine subangular blocky structure . Scattered iron concretions . Friable when moist . Roots abundant . pH 6 .1 . Diffuse boundary :
Bf 7-15 Strong-brown (7 .5YR 5/6, dry) or dark-brown (7 .5YR 4/4, moist) silt loam . Weak, fine subangular blocky structure . A few iron concretions . Friable when moist . Roots abundant . pH 5 .3 . Gradual boundary :
CIIC 15-22 Light yellowish brown (l0YR 6/4, dry) or yellowish-brown (l0YR 5/4 - 5/6, moist) very fine sandy loam . Weak, pseudo-subangular blocky structure . Friable when moist . Roots common . pH 5~9~ Gradual boundary :
IIC1 22-30 Very pale brown (l0YR 7/3, dry) or pale-brown (l0YR 6/3, moist) fine sandy loam . Weathered till . Massive, breaking to single-grain structure . Slightly compact but friable when moist . Occasional roots . pH 5 .9 . Clear bcundary : -77-
Depth Horizon Innhes Descrij)tion
IIC2 30+ Gray (l0YR 6/l, dry) or grayish-brown (10YR 5/2, moist) gravelly sandy loam till . Massive . Compact when moist . pH 5 .9 .
Land Use
A substantial, scattered acreage has been cleared and farmed for forage and small fruits . These soils vary from fairly good farm to poor forest land, depending on the topography and the depth of the solum .
They have a moderate moisture-holding capacity but become dry in summer and would benefit from irrigation . In the shallow phase irrigation is needed for a second hay or silage crop or for small fruits . These soils are not as dry as the Marble Hill or Abbotsford series, and are more suitable than them for dry farming . They give good yields of the early maturing crops .
In places, water supplies for irrigation may be obtained from stratified gravel under the till and glaciolacustrine deposits at depths of 100 feet more or less . A good irrigation per month during the dry months should be sufficient .
On Sumas Mountain the Ryder series and associated soils occupy the better sites for forestry .
Gle,yed Acid Brown Wooded Soils
DEFEHR SERIES
This is a minor soil series . It occupies scattered areas in the southwestern part of. Matsqui Municipality . The topography ranges from very gently to gently sloping and unaulating ; slopes are from two to five percent . There are a few slightly depres- sional areas . Elevations lie between 150 and 250 feet . The Defehr series and other soils in which it occupies the greater acreage are as follows :
Defehr series 88 acres Defehr-Custer complex 45 " Def ehr-Lehma.n complex 45 " Defehr-Lehman-Columbia complex 38 "
The Defenr series is derived from a mixture of loess and eroded glacio-marine material of fine texture that overlies sandy and gravelly glacial outwash . The loam or silt loam top layer, up to 12 inches thick, covered the outwash by erosion or down- slope creep, and the sandy and gravelly deposits beneath are up - 78 -
to 50 feet thick . Small included areas of gravelly loam occur . Surface stone is variable, ranging from none at all to moderate . These soils are near streams, and where seasonal seepage occurs from higher elevations .
This is an imperfectly drained Gleyed Acid Brown Wooded soil series . Water table fluctuations coincide with the seasons . It is high in winter and drops as precipitation becomes less in the growing season . The native cover is composed of Douglas fir, cedar, hemlock, alder, willowy and cottonwood, and shrubs, herbs and ferns . A cultivated profile in a pasture, about 400 yards east of the Columbia Bithiluthic gravel pit near Ross Road was described as follows :
Depth Horizon Inches Description
Ap 0- 7 Dark grayish brown (l0YR 4/2, dry) or dark- brorrn to dark yellowish brown (l0YR 3/3 3/4, moist) loam . Weak, fine to medium suban- gular blocky, breaking to weak granular struc- ture . Friable when moist .. Scattered stones .- Roots abundant . pH 5 " 3 " Abrupt boundary :
Bfgj 7-11 Brown (l0YR 5/3, dry) or yellowish-brown to dark yellowish brown (l0YR 5/4 - 4/4, moist) gravelly loam . Weak, fine subangular blocky structure . A few fine, faint mottles . Friable when moist . Scattered stones .. Roots abundant . pH 5 .9 . Clear boundary :
Bfg 11-17 Pale-brown (l0YR 6/3, dry) or brown to yellowish-brown (l0YR 5/3 - 5/4, moist) gravelly sandy loam . Weak, fine subangular blocky structure, Common, medium, distinct, strong-brown (7 .5YR 5/6, moist) mottles . Friable when moist . Roots common . pH 5 .8 . Clear boundary :
IICgl 17-25 Coarse sandy gravel of variegated colors . Single-grained . Many coarse, distinct,. strong-brown (7 .5YR 5/8, moist) mottles . Loose when moist .. Occasional roots . pH 5 ..9 .. Gradual boundary :
IICg2 25+ Coarse sandy gravel of variegated colors .. Single-grained . :da_ny medium, faint mottles. Loose when moist . pH 5 .7 . -79-
Land Use
Though cultivated fields have a fluctuating water table in winter, they are dry in summer because of the coarse underlay . When drained these soils require irrigation .
The roots of perennials may be damaged by soil saturation in winter . The soils remain cold and wet in the spring until the water table recedes . Small, scattered areas of continuous seepage have good pasture growth in late summer . Soil management is complicated by the association of the Defehr with well drained Columbia and poorly drained Lehman soils ; inasmuch as the manage- ment is usually influenced by each soil in a complex . Stones may interefere with cultivation in places .
Degraded Acid Brown Wooded Soils
COX SERIES
The Cox series occurs high on Sumas Mountain . The topography is strongly rolling to hilly ; slopes are from 15 to 35 percent . Elevations are between 1,900 and 3,000 feet . The Cox soil is associated with outcroppings of bedrock . A total of 563 acres of a Cox-Rock Outcrnp complex was mapped .
The parent material consists of glacial till quite near the surface, inasmuch as the solum is only around 12 inches thick . In many places bedrock is also near the surface and in others it outcrops . Angular stone fragments from the bedrock are common .
This is a Degraded Acid Brown Wooded soil . The profile has an Ae hozion generally less than an inch thick . In places this horizon has not developed, due to surface creep, or it was removed by erosion when the climax forest was destroyed . The solum is well drained as a whole, but in places there is some restriction because of the shallow profile . The surface textures are loam and stony sandy loam . The native vegetation is composed of Douglas fir, scattered lodgepole pine, alder and willow . There is a scanty shrub layer and the ground has a moss cover . An undisturbed profile at the west end of Chadsey Lake was described as follows :
Depth Horizon Inches Description
Z-H 3- 0 Leaves, needles and moss, raw to partly decomposed, pH 5 .0 .
Aej 0- 4 Gray (l0YR 5/1, moist) fine sandy loam . Weak, medium granular structure . Friable when moist . Roots common . pH 5 .0 . Clear boundary : -80-
Depth Horizon Inches Description
Bf ~- 5 Yellowish-brown (l0YR 5/6, moist) sandy loam . Weak, medium subangu7.ar blocky structure . Scattered angular fragments of bedrock . Friable when moist . Roots common . pH 5 .5 . Abrupt boundary :
C 5-12 Grayish-brown (l0YR 5/2, moist) stony sandy loam . Weathered till . Bedrock fragments common . Friable when moist . Occasional roots . pH 5 .5 .
IIC 12+ Bedrock .
Land Use
The Cox series is nonarable . The topography is not as severe as that of the Poignant complex and moisture appears more abundant, possibly due to the cooler air, mist and greater moisture efficiency at the higher elevations . Though trees are scattered, Douglas fir grows large enough to log . The shallow profile, rock outcrop- pings, inaccessibility and other nf:gative factors puts this soil in the doubtful category for tree farming .
PODZOL SOILS
The Podzols occupy scattered areas in the southwest section of Matsqui Municipality . This group is characterized by an L-H horizon of organic forest litter, beneath which is a light colored Ae eluvial horizon . In turn this is underlain by an illuvial Bf horizon in which organic matter and sesquioxides are the main substances that have accumulated . The solum is moderately to strongly unsaturated . The Podzols, which developed under a climax coast forest, are rapidly to imperfectly drained . Two subgroups were found :
Minimal Podzol Soils
The Minimal Podzol has an L-H horizon of forest litter on the surface . neath the organic layer there is a light colored Ae horizon than one inch thick, which is not continuous . This horizon is underlain by an illuvial brown to reddish-brown Bf horizon more than eight inches thick, which contains accumu- lated organic matter and sesquioxides . The profile is unsaturated, strongly acid near the surface, and less acid with depth . In the surveyed area this subgroup is represented by the Lynden~series . - 81 -
Gle,yed Ortstein Podzol Soils
Under natural conditions this subgroup has an L-H horizon of forest litter on the surface, beneath which is a light colored eluvial Ae horizon more than an inch thick . The Ae horizon is underlain by an illuvial brown to reddish-brown, cemented B hori- zon containing accumulated organic matter and sesquioxides . The B horizon may have mottles and gley, due to water table fluctua- tion . The Cg horizon beneath is mottled and gleyed . The repre- sentative in the surveyed area is the Custer series,
Minimal Podzol Soils
LYi1DEN SERIES
These soils occupy a small acreage in the northwest corner of Matsqui Municipality . The topography is level to very gently sloping ; slopes are one-half to three percent . There is hummocky microrelief, caused by uprooting of large trees . Only 12 acres were mapped .
The Lynden series is derived from glacial outwash (13), which consists of sorted gravel and cobbles interbedded with medium and coarse sands from 10 to 125 feet thick . The surface, which may or may not be gravelly and stony, ranges from gravelly sand to sandy loam.
These are Minimal Podzol soils with an Ae horizon less than one-half inch thick and a well developed Bf horizon beneath . The Ae horizon was destroyed where trees uprooted . The solum is rapidly drained . Tree cover is composed chiefly of a dense stand of young Douglas fir and alder . The remaining growth is mostly bracken and moss . An undisturbed profile was given the following description :
Depth Horizon Inches Description
L 12- 0 Undecomposed moss and forest litter.
Aej 0- Light brownish gray (10YR 6/2 dry) or light- gray to gray (l0YR 6/1, moistj loamy sand . Single-grained, Loose when moist . pH 5 .9 . Abrupt boundary :
Bf1 ~- 9 Yellowish-brown (l0YR 5/4, dry) or dark-brown (7 .5YR 3/2, moist) loamy sand . Very weak fine to medium granular structure . Soft when dry ; very friable when moist . Occasional small gravel . Fine roots abundant . pH 6 .2 . Gradual boundary : -82-
Depth Horizon Inches Description
Bf2 9-18 Brown (l0YR 5/3, dry) or dark-brown (l0YR 4/3y moist) gravelly sandy loam . Single- grained . Loose when dry . Fine roots abun- dant . pH 6 .3 .
C 18-35 Coarse gravelly sand of variegated colors . pH 6,4 .
Land Use
A small acreage is used for building sites and rough pasture . Utilization of the Lynden soils is limited by droughtiness and stoniness . The soils warm early in the spring, hence they are suitable for early maturing crops . Low moisture-holding capacity seriously affects all crop production . Irrigation is desirable for any kind of crop production . Water table wells could supply the necessary water for irrigation in this particular area .
Gle,yed Ortstein Podzol Soils
CUSTER SERIES
The Custer soils occupy small areas along the 49th parallel southwest of Abbotsford Airport . The topography varies from depressional to very gently sloping, slopes being from none at all to three percent . Elevations range from 130 to 175 feet . Soils in which the Custer series predominates were mapped as follows :
Custer loam 148 acres Custer-Defehr complex 70 "
The soils are derived from shallow loess overlying glacial outwash (13), which consists of stratified gravel and cobbles interbedded with medium and coarse sands from 10 to 125 feet thick . The surface textures, which may or may not include gravel and cobbles, range from loam to gravelly sandy loam . The Custer soils developed in areas of seepage and in poorly drained depres- sions .
Gravel content increases with depth and texture becomes coarser. There is a concentration of organic matter at the sur- face, with iron cementation and gley in the subsoil . This Gleyed Ortstein Podzol is slightly acid at the surface, becoming medium acid at depths . The deciduous cover is composed of birch, alder, willow, cascara and others . An undisturbed profile one- quarter mile east, 200 yards north of the Ross-Boundary road junction was described as follows : - 83 -
Depth Horizon Inches Description
L-H 2- 0 Forest litter . pH 5~1 .
Ahe 0- 3 Dark-gray (l0YR 5/1, dry) or very dark gray (lOYR 3/l, moist) loam . Weak, fine granular structure, Very friable when moist . Roots abundant,. pH 4 .7, Clear boundary :
Ae 3- 6 Gray (10YR 6/1, dry) or grayish-brown (l0YR 5/2, moist) loam . Weak, very thin platy structure . Very friable when moist . Roots common . pH 5 .3 . Abrupt boundary :
Bfc 6-11 Brown (7~5YR 5/4, dry) or dark-brown (7 .5YR 4/4, moist) fine sandy loam. Massive, breaking to single-grain structure . Very firm when moist . Iron-cemented pockets and streaks . A few, medium, distinct mottles . Occasional roots, pH 5 .6 . Gradual boundary :
Bgc 11-17 Brown (l0YR 5/4, dry) or dark yellowish brown (l0YR 4/4, moist) sandy loam, Massive, breaking to single-grain structure . Iron- cemented in pockets and streaks . A few medium, prominent mottles . Occasional roots . pH 6 .. 0 ~ Gradual boundary :
IICg 17+ Gravel.ly loamy sand of variegated colors with occasional iron stains . A few medium distinct mottles . Single-grain structure . Occasional roots, pH 5 .8,
Land Use
In small areas cultivated, small fruits showed poor growth, probably because of a high, fluctuating water table, Reclamation requires land clearing, drainage and subsoiling to break up the indurated Bfc horizon . When the water table recedes below the rooting zone, the low moisture-holding capacity of Custer soils would not carry a crop through a season ; irrigation would be required . -84-
GLEYSOL SOILS
Refer to a description of Gleysol and Rego Gleysol soils, and a description of the Sardis complex in the lowland soils section, pages 29 and 35 .
HUMIC GLEYSOL SOILS
A description of Humic Gleysol and Rego Humic Gleysol soils is given in the lowland soils section, page 39 .
In the upland of Matsqui Municipality and on Sumas Mountain the Rego Humic Gleysol subgroup is represented by the Scat, Lehman, Calkins, Cornock, and Ross series .
Rego Humic Gleysol Soils
SCAT SERIES
This series occurs in association with other soils on the upland of Matsqui Municipality . It occupies seepage areas, in which there is a fluctuating water table . The topography is slightly depressional or level to gently and moderately sloping . The elevations range from 275 to 450 feet . The Scat series and associated soils were mapped as follows :
Scat series 147 acres Scat-Whatcom complex 219 " Scat-Nicholson complex 229 " Scat-Ross complex 52 " Scat-Nicholson-Aldergrove complex 21 " Scat-Whatcom--Aldergrove complex 20 "
The parent material consists of `rVhatcom glacio-marine deposits . Surface textures range from silt loam to silty clay loam, and generally become heavier with depths,
The surface runoff and seepage from higher elevations accumu- lates on the Scat soils in level to gently sloping areas and in the depressions . This feature, combined with close proximity to the surface of impervious parent material, favors poor drainage . Surface and internal drainage are from slow to very slow .
Though classed as a Rego Humic Gleysol, minor areas of Rego Gleysol soils were included . The native vegetation is composed of dense stands of alder, birch and aspen, with scattered Douglas fir, cedar and hemlock- There is also a thick understory of elderberry, hardhack, blackberry, vine maple, bracken, sword fern, water plaintain, sedges, and others . An undisturbed profile about 300 yards east of the n4acLure-Bradner road junction was described as follows : -85-
Depth Horizon Inches Description
L-H 1- 0 Leaves, needles, twigs and other organic litter . Raw to well decomposed .
0-10 Dark-gray (l0YR 4/1, dry) or black to very dark gray (l0YR 2/1 - 3/1, moist) silt loam,, Moderate, medium subangular blocky structure . Friable when moist . Roots abundant . pH 5 .3 . Diffuse boundary :
AC 10-18 Grayish-brown (10YR 5/2, dry) or dark-brown to brown (l0YR 3/3 - 4/3, moist) loam . Moderate, medium subangular blocky structure . Common, fine, distinct, dark reddish brown (5YR 3/4, moist) mottles . Friable when moist . Roots common . pH 5 .9 . Gradual boundary :
Cgl 18-28 Very pale brown (l0YR 7/39 dry) or brown (l0YR 5/3, moist) silt loam . Massive,. Many medium, prominent brown to dark-brown (7e5YR 4/49 moist) mottles . Firm when moist, pH 6 .2 . Gradual boundary :
Cg2 28+ Light brownish gray (l0YR 6/2, dry) or dark grayish brown (l0YR 4/2, moist) silty clay loam . Massive . Many medium, distinct, dark- brown (7 .5YR 4/49 moist) mottles . Extremely firm when moist . pH 6 .3 :
Land Use
A small acreage was develeped at the time of the survey (1963) and in grass for hay or pasture, The Scat soils are difficult to cultivate when associated with the Whatcom and Nicholson series, because they cannot be handled at the same time . The forage usually has low feeding value, owing to high sedge content .
Reclamation consists of heavy clearing and expensive drainage . Drainage outlets are often difficult to find . Indivi- dual areas are often too small to warrant reclamation unless high income crops are produced . -86-
LEHTuIAN SERIES
There are scattered areas of the Lehman series on the southern half of the upland in Matsqui Municipality . The topography varies from very gently to gently undulating ; slopes are from two to five percent . There are also a few slightly depressional areas . The elevations are from 130 to 250 feet . The Lehman series and associated soils were mapped as follows :
Lehman series 113 acres Lehman-Ross complex 84 " Lehman-Defehr complex 77 " Lehman-Custer complex 69 " Lehman-Judson complex 12 "
The Lehman soils are derived from a shallow deposit of loess that overlies and to some extent is :.Zixed with glacial outwash . These glacial sands and gravels are from 10 to 125 feet thick . The surface texture ranges from loam to silt loam. There are minor inclusions of sandy loam underlain by the coarse gravelly or sandy deposits . The soils usually occur near contact with the finer textured glacio-marine deposits, and some areas are along occupied and abandoned channels of streams in the outwash plain . Slopewash has produced a discontinuous, shallow overlay at the toes of slopes, but of insufficient thickness or area to warrant separation . Stones are insufficient to interfere with cultivation .
This Rego Humic Gleysol soil series is poorly drained . The source of seepage is from higher elevations and lateral seepage from streams . The native vegetation is composed of cedar, cottonwood, alder, devil's club, ferns, and others . An undis- turbed profile about 100 yards west of the Boundary-Lefeuvre road junction was described as follows :
Depth Horizon Inches Description
H-L 1~- 0 Well decomposed to raw leaves and roots . Abundant roots form a heavy sod . Earthworm activity . pH 4~7 . Abrupt boundary :
Ah 0- 7 Gray to dark-gray (l0YR 5/1 - 4/1, dry) or black (l0YR 2/1, moist) silt loam . Weak, medium subangular blocky structure . Friable when moist . Roots abundant . Earthworms in upper part . p:-3 4 .6 . Abrupt boundary : -87-
Depth Horizon Inches Description
Cg 7-11 Light brownish gray (2 .5Y 6/2, dry) or olive- brown (2 .5Y 4/4, moist) loam . Moderate, medium subangular blocky structure . Common, medium, distinct ; strong-brown (7 .5YR 5/6, moist) mottles . Firm when moist . Roots common . pH 5 .6 . Abrupt boundary :
IICgl 11-15 Light brownish gray to light yellowish brown (2 .5YR 6/2 - 6/4, dry) or light olive brown (2 .5Y 5/4, moist) loamy sand . Weak, medium pseudo-subangular blocky structure . Many coarse, distinct, strong-brown (7 .~5YR 5/6 - 5/8, moist) mottles . Very friable when moist . Occasional roots . pH 5 .9 . Abrupt boundary :
IICg2 15-27 Mottled, compact sandy gravel of variable colors . Single-grained . Laose when moist . Occasional roots . pH 5 .9 . Gradual boundary :
IICg3 27+ Mottled, compact, coarse gravel of variable colors . Single-grained . Loose when moist . pH 5 .9 .
Land Use
There is scattered cultivation, managed the same as surreund- ing soils . Non-irrigated pastures are fairly productive in late summer, because of seepage . Small fruits, or other crops whose roots are damaged by a high water table, should not be planted . Grasses take over as legumes are killed out in the wet season .
Reclamation involves heavy clearing and drainage . When tile or ditch drained, the Lehman soils require irrigation in the dry season, because of the coarse and. open subsoil .
CALKIidS SERIES
This series occupies seepages in areas of the Marble Hill, Ryder and Bateman soils . The topography is usually level, but there is a minor acreage on steep seepage slopes . The elevations range from 50 to 1,OQ0 feet . The Calkins series and its associates were mapped as follows : -88-
Calkins series 490 acres Calkins-Bateman complex 82 " Calkins-Judson complex 78 " Calkins-Ryder-Whatcom complex 135 "
The parent material consists of loess, which has accumulated in depressions by erosion from higher ground . The loess ranges from 40 to 72 inches thick, underlain by gravelly or sandy out- wash or till . The profile textures are silt loam and silty clay loam .
This poorly drained Rego Humic Gleysol has a native vegeta- tion composed of alder, cottonwood, and willow, with an under- story of sedges, watercress, skunk cabbage and others . An undis- turbed profile about 200 yards southwest of the Townline-Downes road junction was described as follows :
Depth Horizon Inches Description
0- 9 Very dark brown (l0YR 2/2, moist) silty clay loam . Moderate, medium subangular blocky structure . Roots common . pH 5 . 6 . Gradual boundary :
AC 9-19 Dark-gray (10YR 4/1, moist) silt loam. Massive . Firm when moist . Occasional roots . pH 5 .8 . Abrupt boundary :
Cgl 19-30 Grayish-brown (2 .5Y 5/2, moist) silty clay loam . Many yellowish-red (5YR 5/6, moist) mottles . Massive . Firm when moist . Occasional roots . pH 5 .9 . Abrupt boundary :
Cg2 30+ Light brownish gray (l0YR 6/2, moist) silt loam. Massive . Many yellowish-red (5YR 5/6, moist) mottles . Firm when moist . pH 6 .6 .
Iiand Use
The Calkins soils occupy small, poorly drained, swampy and forested areas . At present the reclamation of such areas is not economic, because the areas are usually too small to return the investment . In some cases the smaller depressions could be deepened or dammed to form ponds, where the underlying material is impervious . -89-
CORNOCK SERIES
The Cornock soil is confined to one area in Matsqui Municipality . This is located in Glen Valley near the west municipal boundary . The topography is gently sloping and gently undulating ; slopes are from two to five percent . Elevations are between 15 and 25 feet . The total area amounts to 12 acres .
The parent material consists of Fraser River sediments that are older and at higher elevation than those of the lowland . There are from 15 to 24 inches of loam, silt loam and silty clay strata with sandy and gravelly glacial outwash (13) beneath .
The drainage of this Rego Hjt.unic Gleysol soil is imperfect to poor, and there is indication that it was more poorly drained in the past than at present . The improvement is due largely to drainage and control of the water table . A cultivated profile was described as follows :
Depth Horizon Inches Desc-ri tion
AP 0- 8 Dark-gray (5YR 4/l, dry) or black (5YR 2/l, moist) silt loam . Moderate, medium granular structure . Friable when moist . Roots abundant . pH 5 .6 . Abrupt boundary :
Ah 8-12 Dark-gray (l0YR 4/19 dry) or very dark gray (l0YR 3/1, moist) silt loam . Moderate, medium granular structure . Friable when moist . Roots abundant . pH 5 .3 " Abrupt boundary :
Cg 12-14 Light brownish gray (2 .5Y 6/2, dry) or dark grayish brown (2 .5Y 4/2, moist) silty clay loam. Moderate, medium subangular blocky structure . Common, medium, faint, yellowish- brown (l0YR 5/6, moist) mottles . Firm when moist . Roots common . pH 5 .2 . Abrupt boundary :
IIAhg 14-18 Grayish-brown (l0YR 5/2, dry) or dark-gray to very dark grayish brown (l0YR 4/1 - 3/2, moist) silty clay loam . Moderate, medium suba:ngular blocky structure . Common, medium, distinct brown to strong-brown (7 .5YR 5/4 - 5/69 moist) mottles . Very firm when moist . Roots common . pH 5 .1 . Abrupt boundary : -g0-
Depth Tiorizon Inches DescriRtion
IIIC1 18-31 Pale-brown (l0YR 6/3, dry) or dark yellowish brown (l0YR 4/49 moist) coarse sandy loam . Fine pseudo-subangular blocky breaking to single-grain structure . Fine material coated on gravel Very friable when moist . Occasional roots . pH 5 .5 . Gradual boundary :
IIIC2 31+ Fine gravel of variegated colors . Single- grained ., Scattered stones . Loose when moist, pH 5 .6~
Land Use
The 12 acres of Cornock soil is farmed for pasture and forage crops . The management is similar to that of the lowland soils . This soil may be droughty in the late sumrner, because of the coarse underlay, and irrigation is desirable . Improved drainage of surrounding lowland soils would benefit the Cornock series, because of its higher elevation .
ROSS SERIES
The Ross soils are in scattered areas on the upland in the western half of TuTatsqui Municipality . The topography is from very gently sloping to gently undulating ; slopes are from two to five percent . Elevations are from 150 to 300 feet . The series and associated soils were mapped as follows :
Ross series 3'(6 acres Ross-Judson complex 62 " Ross-Defehr complex n
The Ross series occurs on the narrow floodplains of streams originating in the higher parts of the upland . The parent material consists of eroded sediments from Whatcom glacio-marine deposits which were laid. down as meander scrolls and levees on the margins of the streams . In some cases a narrow floodplain bottoms a steep sided coulee in glacio-marine material . In others, where a stream crosses an outwash plain, the soils may occur only a few feet lower than the surrounding areas .
The surface textures range from silt loam to silty clay loam . Heavier and lighter textured strata may occur in the profile, depending on the variety of materials carried by the stream . Gravel and sands are usually more than 24 inches deep . The profile is stone-free except where the stream bed has been bulldozed . In such cases a few stones may be found, but not enough to hinder cultivation . The Ross series was mapped as a Rego Humic Gleysol but a few unmappable areas of Rego Gleysol soils were included . Drainage is poor ; a few scattered areas have very poor drainage . The natural vegetation is composed of alder, willow, dogwood, hard- hack, sedge, nettle, buttercup, and others . An undisturbed pro- file about 200 feet southwest of the Marshall-Mt . Lehman road junction was described as follows :
Depth Horizon Inches D escription
0- 9 Dark gray to gray (l0YR 4/1 - 5/1, dry) or very dark gray (l0YR 3/1, moist) silt loam . Weak, medium subangular blocky structure . A few, fine, faint mottles . Very friable when moist . Roots abundnat . pH 4 .7 . Gradual bouiidary :
AC 9-13 Grayish-brown (l0YR 5/2, dry) or dark grayish brown (l0YR 4/2, moist) silt loam . Weak, medium subangular blocky structure . Cormnon, medium, distinct, brown to dark- brown (l0YR 4/4, moist) mottles . Very friable when moist . Roots common . pH 5 .3 . Abrupt boundary :
Cgl 13-22 Light-gray (l0YR 6/1, dry) or gray (5Y 5/19 moist) silty clay loam . Moderate, medium pseudo-subangular blocky structure . Many medium ., prominent, strong-brown (7 .5YR 5/6, moist) mottles . Firm when moist . Occa- sional roots . pH 5 .4 . Gradual boundary :
Cg2 22+ Light olive gray (5Y 6/2, dr ~ or dark-gray to gray (5Y 4/1 - 5/1, moist ~ silty clay . Massive . Fine, medium, distinct brown to dark-brown (7 .5YR 4/4, moist) mottles . Extremely firm when moist . pH 6 .2 .
Land Use
One large area was cultivated for pasture and forage crops at the time of the survey (1963) . Reclamation involves clearing dense swamp forest and expensive drainage . A high income crop would be required to cover the cost . Water table control is difficult, because of lateral seepage from streams . Small areas near streams make cultivation difficult . Cultivation is compli- cated by heavy subsoil texture . If required, irrigation water is readily available from nearby creeks . -92-
MUCK SOILS
Refer to the general description of Muck soils on page 50 .
These soils occupy scattered areas on the upland in the southern half of Matsqui Municipality . The areas in which they occur serve as catchments for seepage water . Under natural conditions the water table is at or near the surface most of the year .
Water saturation delays decomposition of the organic litter . The surface soil is usually well decomposed muck, containing some mineral soil, and the balance of the profile is semi- decomposed . The underlying material varies, but generally it is fine textured and gleyed~ In the upland the Muck soils are represented by Judson Muck .
JUDSON MUCK
This soil occupies scattered depressions and seepage areas on the upland . The average topography is level ; minor areas are gently undulating . Elevations lie between 145 and 180 feet . The Judson Muck is associated with the Ross series on creek floodplains . The classified areas are as follows :
Judson Muck 563 acres Judson-Ross complex 255 I'
The organic material, composed chiefly of reeds, sedges, wood and moss, accumulated under poor drainage . The surface layer has humified to muck, beneath which is semi-decomposed peat . The Judson soil was separated into a shallow phase (12 to 24 inches thick) and a deep phase (more than 24 inches of organic material) . Oxidized mineral soil eroded in and mixed with the organic deposit imparts a reddish color . The underlying mineral soil is fine textured and strongly gleyed . Natural vegetation consists of alder, birch, coast pine, hard!-hack; labrador tea, and sphagnum moss . A cultivated profile about 200 yards east of Townline Road on the 49th parallel was described as follows :
Depth Horizon Inches Description
Hp 46-39 Very dusky red (2 .5YR 2/2, moist) loamy muck . Weak, coarse subangular blocky struc- ture . Friable when moist . Roots abundant . pH 4~2 . Gradual boundary :
H 39-32 Dusky-red to dark reddish brown (2 .5YR 3/2 - 3/4, moist) muck . Friable when moist . Roots common . pH 4 .2~ Diffuse boundary : -93-
Depth Horizon Inches Description
Fl 32-17 Dark-brown (7 .5YR 3/2, moist) peaty muck . Friable when moist . Occasional roots . pH 4 . 4 . Diffuse boundary :
F2 17- 0 Dark-brown (7 .5YR 4/2 - 4/4, moist) peaty muck . Friable when moist . Occasional roots . pH 4 .5 . Abrupt boundary :
IICg 0+ Gray (l0YR 5/1, moist) silt loam . Massive . A few faint yellowish brown (10YR 5/4, moist) mottles . Firm when moist .
Land Use
The Judson Muck is difficult to reclaim inasmuch as the muck areas occupy seepages near creeks and around lakes . Flat topography and no outlets make gravity drainage almost impossible . There is also a high clearing cost .
If drained, the water table should be controlled so that the surface layer will not dry, subside and crack . When reclaimed and well managed, the Judson Muck is valuable for vegetable and blueberry production (20), but grasses may not do well . A pasture sward may revert to sedges and mosses, and thus requires a grass that can compete with them, such as reed canarygrass .
MISCELLANEOUS LAND TYPES
D,ykes and Ditches
About 91 acres are occupied by dykes and ditches in Matsqui Municipality .
Gravel Pits
Gravel pits are scattered throughout Matsqui Municipality . Some are operated by private firms, others by the municipality and the British Columbia Department of Highways . The pits occupy about 79 acres .
Lakes,-Ponds-and Sloughs
Lakes, ponds and sloughs occupy about 330 acres in the low- land and upland areas of the municipality . -94-
Rock Outcrops
A total of 697 acres were mapped as rock outcrop and associated nonarable land in the municipality and on Sumas Mountain .
Subdivided Areas
The town of Abbotsford, the village of Clearbrook and the Matsqui and Clayburn hamlets occupy about 955 acres .
Trans-Canada Highway
The right-of-way of the Trans-Canada Highway occupies about 378 acres in Matsqui Municipality .
Table 2 - MAP SYMBOLS AND ACREAGES OF THE DIFFERENT SOILS AND MISCELLANEOUS AREAS
Soils Map Symbol Acreage
Abbotsford gravelly loam ADgl 11448 Abbotsford gravelly loam (stony phase) AD gl(st) 866 Abbotsford loam AD1 85 Abbotsford series AD1-gl 17408 Abbotsford series (anthropic phase) AD : an 715 Abbotsford--Marble Hill soil complex AD-MH 52 2 Abbotsford-Columbia soil complex AD-CL 715 Abbotsford-Defehr soil complex AD-DR 107 Abbotsford-Lehman soil complex AD -LH 81
Aldergrove-Nicholson soil complex AE-N 52 Aldergrove-Scat-Whatcom soil complex AE-SC-W 51 Aldergrove-Whatcom soil complex AE-W 177 *Aldergrove-Whatcom :sp-Scat soil complex AE-W : sp-SC 37
Annis muck AN 194 Annis-Banford soil complex AN-BD 40 Annis-Hallert soil complex AN-HT 53 Annis-Hallert-Beharrel soil complex AN-HT-BL 91 Annis-Hazelwood soil complex AN -HD 14 ,~nnis-Hjorth soil complex AN-HJ 43 Annis-Sim soil complex AN-SI 23
Banford muck BD 46 Banford--Annis soil complex BD-AN 216 Banford-Gibson soil complex BD-GN 23 Banford-Hallert-Annis soil complex BD-HT-AN 3 6 -95-
Table 2 - Continued
Soils Map Symbol Acreage
Bateman series BA 30 Bateman-Calkins soil complex BA-CN 77 Bateman-Marble Hill :sp soil complex BA-MH :sp 13 Bateman-Ryder soil complex BA-RD 67
Bates series BT 37 Bates-Lickman soil complex BT-LK 137 Bates-Sim soil complex BT-SI 93
Beharrel series BL 720 Beharrel-Bates soil complex BL-BT 192 Beharrel-Hazelwood soil complex BL-HD 102 Beharrel-Niven soil complex BL-NN 32
Calkins series CN 490 Calkins-Bateman soil complex CN-BA 82 Calkins-Judson soil complex CN-JN 78 Calkins-Ryder-Whatcom soil complex CN-RD-W 135
Columbia series CL 329 Columbia-Abbotsford soil complex CL-AD 420 Columbia-Abbotsford-Defehr soil complex CL-AD-DR 22 Columbia-Aldergrove soil complex CL-AE 142 Columbia-Defehr soil complex CL-DR 56 Columbia-Elk soil complex CL-EK 66 Columbia-Lynden soil complex CL-LY 26 Columbia-Peardonville soil complex CL-PD 235 Columbia-Whatcom :sp soil complex CL-W :sp 208
Cornock series CR 12
Cox-Rock outcrop soil complex CX-RO 563
Custer loam C 148 Custer-Defehr soil complex C-DR 70
Defehr series DR 88 Defehr-Custer soil complex DR-C 45 Defe?ar-Lehman soil complex DR-LH 45 Defehr-Lehman-Columbia soil complex DR-LH-CL 38
Elk series EK 248 Elk-Columbia soil complex EK-CL 61 Elk-Isar soil complex EK-IS 10 Elk-Niven soil complex EK-NN 44 -96-
Table 2 - Continued
Soils Map Symbol Acreage
Fairfield series F 245 Fairf ield-Hjorth soil complex F-HJ 208 Fairfield-Monroe soil complex F-M 262 Fairfield-Pdionroe-Page soil complex F-M-PE 360 Fairfield-Pdionroe-Monroe : sp soil complex F-M-PJI : sp 444 Fairfield-Monroe :sp soil complex F-M:sp 86 Fairfield-Monroe :sp-Page soil complex F-M :sp-PE 78 Fairf ield-Page soil complex F-PE 301 Fairf ield : sp-1Vlonroe : sp soil complex F : sp-M : sp 28 Fairf ield :sp-Prest :sp-Grevell soil complex F :sp-PR :sp-G 52
Gibson muck GN 1,369 Gibson-Banf ord soil complex GN-BD 70 Gibson-Triggs soil complex GN-TR 36
Grevell series G 83 Grevell-Fairfield :sp soil complex G-F :sp 57 Grevell-Monroe :sp soil complex G-PlI :sp 44
Hallert series HT 1,031 Hallert-Banford soil complex HT-BD 79 Hallert-Gibson soil complex HT-GN 31
Hazelwood series HD 985 Hazelwood-Annis soil complex HD-AN 81 Hazelwood-Beharrel soil complex HD-BL 154 Hazelwood-Niven soil complex HD-NN 30 Hazelwood-Sim soil complex HD-SI 327
Hjorth series HJ 99 Hjorth-Annis soil complex HJ-AN 15 Hjorth-Hallert soil complex HJ-HT 40 Hjorth-Fairf ield-Page soil complex HJ-F-PE 13
Isar series is 242 Isar-Elk soil complex IS-EK 45
Judson muck JN 563 Judson-Ross soil complex JiJ-RS 255
Zaxton series LX 76 Laxton-Marble Hill soil complex LX-MH 231 Laxton-Marble Hill-Marble Hill :sp soil complex LX-MH-MH :sp 175 Laxton-Marble Hill :sp-Marble Hill soil complex LX-MH :sp-MH 203 Laxton-Ryder-Bateman soil complex LX-RD-BA 129 -97-
Table 2 - Continued
Soils Map Symbol Acreage
Lehman series LH 113 Lehman-Custer soil complex LH-C 69 Lehman-Defehr soil complex LH-DR 77 Lehman-Judson soil complex LH-JN 12 Lehman-Ross soil complex LH-RS 84
Lickman :sp-Lickman soil complex LK :sp-LK 31 Lickman-Bates soil complex LK-BT 79 Lickman :sp-IvIcElvee soil complex LK :sp-ME :sp 31
Lynden series LY 12
Marble Hill series Mfi 11352 Marble Hill loam MH1 682 Marble Hill-Marble Hill :sp soil complex MH-MH :sp 17081 Marble Hill-Laxton soil complex MH-LX 246 Marble Hill-Laxton-Marble Hill :sp soil complex MH-LX-MH :sp 106 Marble Hill-Laxton-Bateman soil complex MH-LX-BA 159 Marble Hill-Ryder soil complex MH-RD 134 Marble Hill-Ryder-Bateman soil complex PIIH-RD-BA 78 Marble Hill-Ryder-Calkins soil complex MH-RD-CN 58 Marble Hill-Abbotsford soil complex PtIH-A-D 31 Marble Hill-Calkins soil complex MH-CN 317 Marble Hill :sp MH :sp 178 Marble Hill :sp-Marble Hill soil complex MH :sp-MH 17589 Marble Hill :sp-Marble Hill-Laxton soil complex MH :sp-MH-LX 187 Marble Hill :sp-Ryder :sp-Marble Hill soil complex MH :sp-RD :sp-MH 89
McElvee series ME 41 McElvee :sp-McElvee soil complex ME :sp-ME 163
Monroe-Monroe :sp soil complex M-M :sp 120 Monroe-Fairfield soil complex I14-F 128 Monroe-Fairf ield-Monroe :sp soil complex M-F-M :sp 542 Monroe :sp M :sp 62 Monroe :sp-Monroe soil complex M :sp-M 144 Monroe :sp-Fairfield soil complex M :sp-F 98
Nicholson silt loam Nsil 108 N icholson-4"lhatcom soil complex N-W 33 Nicholson-Whatcom (anthropic) soil complex N-W :an 83 Nicholson-Whatcom-Scat soil complex tI-W-SC 144 - 98 -
Table 2 - Continued
Soils Map Symbol Acreage
Vicholson-Whatcom (anthropic)-Scat soil complex N-W :an-SC 89 Nicholson-Whatcom :sp-Whatcom (anthropic) soil complex N-W :sp-W :an 197 Nicholson-Aldergrove-Scat soil complex N-AE-SC 42 Nicholson-Scat soil complex N-SC 57 Nicholson-Scat-Whatcom soil complex N-SC-W 160
Niven soil complex NN 307 Niven-Hjorth soil complex NN-HJ 22
Page series PE 347 Page-Fairf ield soil complex PE-F 244 Page-Prest soil complex PE-PR 274
Peardonville series PD 470 Peardonville-Peardonville (stony) soil complex PD-PD(st) 736 Peardonville (stony)-Peardonville soil complex PD(st)-PD 85 Peardonville (stony)-Peardonville-Ryder :sp soil complex PD(st)-PD-RD :sp 250 Peardonville-Calkins soil complex PD-CN 49 Peardonville-Columbia soil complex PD-CL 29
Poignant-Rock outcrop soil complex PT-RO 151 Poignant-Ryder :sp-Rock outcrop soil complex PT-RD :sp-RO 1,404 Poignant-Rock outcrop-Ryder :sp soil complex PT-RO-RD :sp 1,268
Prest series PR 252 Prest-Page soil complex PR-PE 119 Prest :sp-Grevell soil complex PR :sp-G 88 Prest : sp-Idlonrce : sp-Fairfield : sp soil complex PR : sp-114 : sp-F : sp 98
Ross series RS 376 Ross-Judson soil complex RS-JN 62 Ross-Defehr soil complex RS-DR 9
Ryder series RD 11201 Ryder silt loam RDsil 356 Ryder-Ryder :sp soil complex RD-RD :sp 37231 Ryder-Ryder .sp-Calkins soil complex RD-RD :sp-CN 58 Ryder-Ryder :sp-IvIarble Hill soil complex RD-RD :sp-MH 189 -99-
Table 2 - Continued
Soils Map Symbol Acreage
Ryder-Peardonville soil complex RD-PD 140 Ryder-Laxton-Marble Hill soil complex RD-LX-b'IH 127 Ryder-Ryder :sp-Laxton soil complex RD-RD :sp-LX 197 Ryder-Marble Hill :sp-Marble Hill soil complex RD-MH :sp-MH 60 Ryder-Marble Hill soil complex RD-IVIH 208 Ryder-Marble Hill-Bateman soil complex RD-MH-BA 33 Ryder-Ryder :sp-Poignant soil complex RD-RD :sp-PT 189 Ryder-Whatcom soil complex RD-W 210 Ryder-Whatcom-Calkins soil complex RD-W-CN 11158 Ryder-Calkins soil complex RD-CN 180 Ryder :sp RD :sp 40 Ryder :sp-Ryder soil complex RD :sp-RD 1,105 Ryder :sp-Ryder-Laxton soil complex RD :sp-RD-LX 332 Ryder :sp-Ryder-Marble Hill :sp soil complex RD :sp-RD-MH :sp 293 Ryder :sp-Ryder-Rock outcrop soil complex RD :sp-RD-RO 412 Ryder :sp-Ryder-Poignant soil complex RD :sp-RD-PT 646 Ryder :sp-Bateman-Laxton soil complex RD :sp-BA-LX 134 Ryder :sp-Laxton soil complex RD :sp-LX 78 Ryder!sp-Whatcom soil complex RD :sp-W 350 Ryder :sp-Marble Hill :sp soil complex RD :sp-MH :sp 127 Ryder :sp-Rock outcrop soil complex RD :sp-RO 148 Ryder :sp-Rock outcrop-Ryder soil complex RD :sp-RO-RD 80 Ryder :sp-Marble Hill :sp-Poignant soil complex RD : sp-1'JfH : sp-PT 77 Ryder :sp-Poignant-Rock outcrop soil complex RD :sp-PT-RO 1~792
Sardis soil complex SD 195 Sardis-Lickman :sp soil complex SK-LK :sp 25
Scat series SC 147 Scat-Whatcom soil complex SC-W 219 Scat-Nicholson soil complex SC-N 229 Scat-Ross soil complex SC-RS 52 Scat-Nicholson-Aldergrove soil complex SC-N-AE 21 Scat-Whatcom-Aldergrove soil complex SC-W-AE 20
Sim series SI 50 Sim-Bates soil complex SI-BT 80 Sim-Beharrel soil complex SI-BL 57 Sim-Hazelwood soil complex SI-HD 176
Triggs peat TR 155 Triggs-Gibson soil complex TR-GN 90 - 100 -
Table 2 - Continued
Soils Map Symbol Acreage
Whatcom silt 1,-)am W 2,135 Whatcom-Whatcom (anthropic) soil complex W-W :an 112 Whatcom-Whatcom :sp soil complex W-W :sp 192 Whatcom-Whatcom :sp-Scat soil complex W-W :sp-SC 987 Whatcom-Nicholson-Scat soil complex W-N-SC 350 Whatcom-Aldergrove-Nicholson soil complex W-AE-N 100 Whatcom-Scat-Nicholson soil complex W-SC-N 594 Whatcom-Scat soil complex W-SC 47873 Whatcom-Aldergrove-Scat soil complex V7-AE-SC 61 Whatcom-Ryder soil complex W-RD 393 Whatcom-Ryder-Scat soil complex W-RD-SC 804 Whatcom-Whatcom (anthropic)-Scat soil complex W-W : an-SC 90 Whatcom-Scat-Whatcom :sp soil complex VV-SC-W :sp 256 Whatcom :sp-Whatcom soil complex W :sp-W 227 Whatcom :sp W :sp 40 Whatcom :sp-Whatcom-Scat soil complex W :sp-W-SC 591 Whatcom :sp-Nicr.olson soil complex W :sp-N 100 Whatcom :sF-Scat soil complex W :sp-SC 28 Whatcom :sp-Whatcom-Ross soil complex VJ :sp-W-RS 60 Whatcom :sp-Columbia-Whatcom soil complex W :sp-CL'W 408 Whatcom (an.thropic)-Nicholson soil comolex W : an-N 31
Miscellaneous Land T ypes
Rock outcrops RO 697
Dykes - 91
Gravel pits GP 79
Lakes, ponds and sloughs - 330
Trans-Canada Highway - 378
Subdivided areas - 955
Total 667006
*sp - shallow phase CHEMIC AL ANALYSES
The following discussion of soil properties is given to aid interpretation of the chemical data in accompanying tables of chemical analyses :
Soil Reaction
Pure water has a pH of 7 .0, which represents neutrality . Values less than pH 7 .0 denote different intensities of acidity, and those above pIH 7,0 represent intensities of alkali carbonates and hydroxides-. The range for soils varies from about pH 3~0 to 10 .0 . In Matsqui Municipality the soils range from pH 4 .5 to 7 .0 .
Plants vary in their ability to grow at different pH values, and through no single factor may be responsible for limiting growth, nutrient availability to different plants at different pH has significance . That is to say, in alkaline soils of the semi-arid or arid regions, growth may be limited by low availabi- lity of zinc or manganese at existing pH, On the other hand, in acid soils, appreciable amounts or zinc, manganese, iron, aluminum and copper may become soluble to the extent of being toxic . Soils having reactions in the range pH 6 .2 to 7 .5 are regarded as prac- tically neutral, and this is the ideal situation for most crops .
In the Lower Fraser Valley, soil pH values are important because they indicate whether or not liming is desirable, but since soils have different degrees of buffer capacity, pH is not reliable to estimate the amount of lime required or the frequency of liming . The amount of lime actually required may depend upon the soil type, Less lime is needed by a sandy soil with low exchange capacity than .'ay a clay soil with a higher exchange capacity to achieve the same degree of base saturation .
The relationship between pH and nutrient availability differs in different mineral soils . It is also emphasized that in acid peat and muck soils the relationship between pH and nutrient availability is not the same as in acid mineral soils .
Organic Matter
The content of organic matter varies from less than one per- cent in mineral soils to 100 percent in organic soils . Though the climate favored accumulation of organic matter under the original or natural conditions an areas of poor drainage in Matsqui Municipality, its maintenance in cultivated mineral soils is often a problenL for the farmer .
Organic matter contributes to plant growth through its beneficial effects on the physical, chemical and biological properties of a soil ., A large part of the nitrogen, phosphorus and sulphur are held in organic combination unavailable to the - 102 - growing plant . These elements must be changed over to mineral forms before they can be used by the crop . This important change is made by the micro-biological population of the soil .
The fertility of a soil is influenced by the size of the micro-biological population it can hold . A large population makes more minerals available to plants than a small one, and the crop yield is increased accordingly. The population is increased as humus is built up in a well drained soil .
Frequent additions of organic residues that decompose readily are in part synthesized into complex compounds (humus) that bind soil particles into structural units called aggregates . These help to maintain a loose, open, granular condition that improves tilth, increases resistance to erosion, and facilitates the movement of air and water through the soil . Nioisture-holding and cation exchange capacities and a carbon dioxide-oxygen rela- tionship beneficial to root development are also improved,
Phosphorus
This is a major, essential element . Most of the phosphorus in the soil is in forms not immediately available to the growing plant . It is held in organic and inorganic compounds, and the proportion of each varies widely, Available phosphorus originates from breakdown of soil minerals, organic matter, or from additions of phosphate fertilizer . Inorganic phosphorus is the only form utilized by crop plants . Organic forms must be converted to mineralized ones by the action of soil organisms before the phos- phorus is available .
The chemistry of phosphorus in the soil is complex . One condition is its low solubility in the soil solution . When applied as fertilizer it changes into less soluble compounds and some of it may become fixed in unavailable forms . The extent and nature of the fixation may affect the efficiency of applications in different soils .
Acid soils have an excess of chemiually active iron and aluminum, and alkaline ones an excess of calcium. These elements combine with phosphorus and make it less available than it was as fertilizer . Iron and aluminum phosphates are least soluble at pH 4 .0 ; their maximum availability is between pH 6 .5 . and 7 .0 . As the pH increases from 7,0 to 8 .5 in alkaline soils, calcium phosphate is formed and availability decreases .
The fixation process takes place rapidly after fertilizer is applied, so the phosphorus does not move very far from the point of application . This means that the plant root must move to the phosphorus, rather than the opposite, as is -the case with nitrogen . In consequence, the best results are obtained by distributing the phosphate fertilizer as close to the rooting - 103 - zone as possible . Top-dress applications are most effective when a crop has an abundance of feeding roots in the upper two inches of soil, as in humid or irrigated areas . Where well drained soils are dry-farmed the roots go deeper, and the best results may be nbtained by drilling the fertilizer with the seed .
The data on phosphorus levels in the following tables are based on two methods of analysis . The P-1 method (adsorbed phos- phorus) measures the most available form . The P-2 method (adsorbed plus acid soluble phosphorus) measures the available and reserve forms .
Though plants vary in their demand, the following may be used as a general guide as to the most available phosphorus in a soil, based on the P-1 method :
Very low - 5 parts per million Low - 5 - 10 " " " Moderate - 10 - 20 " " " Moderately high - 20 - 30 " " " High - 30 + "
Nitrogen
This is a -major nutrient element supplied by organic matter or as fertilizer . It is not a soil mineral, Nitrogen is fairly expensive to supply and easily lost from the soil . Successful farming requires maintenance of an adequate nitrogen supply .
The ultimate source of nitrogen is the atmosphere . Higher plants cannot use atmospheric nitrogen directly . It must be combined with other elements . This process is called nitrogen fixation,. One of the chief methods of transfer is through the agency of certain soil organisms, the most important being symbiotic . These live in symbiotic relationship with legumes . A part of this nitrogen is used by the growing legumes and the remainder is made available to other plants when the crop is rotated . In addition to the help of other nitrifying organisms in the soil, up to about four pounds per acre is supplied annually by thunder storms, the amount depending in the frequency of the storms .
Though large amounts of nitrogen are rleased in the soil each year, plant growth is limited more often by nitrogen deficiency than by the lack of any other nutrient . In acldition to natural sources of nitrogen a fertilizer program is necessary in order to replenish the losses due to removal by crops and leaching . From 75 to 100 pounds of nitrogen per acre should be available each year for crops .
The dependence of the availability of natural or soil nitrogen on microbial activity makes interpretation of analytical - 104 - values more difficult than is the case of available phosphorus and potassium . However, the probable response of crops to applied nitrogen fertilizers can be estimated by taking previous yields into account, if residues returned to the soil, the adequacy of other nutrients, weather and soil conditions are also given due consideration . Actual analytical values of total nitrogen in the soil can serve only as a partial guide . For this purpose the following levels may be used :
Very low - 0 .10 percent I~ow - 0,10 - 0 .25 " Medium - 0 .25 - 0 .40 " High - 0 .40 + "
Cation Exchange Capacity
The clay minerals and the organic matter in soils exhibit cation exchange properties . The interchange between cations in exchangeable form, which takes place in solution, is known as cation exchange . In the order of quantity, the principal exchangeable cations are calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, aluminum, and hydrogen . The cations, which are positive, are adsorbed on the negatively charged surfaces of the clay particles .
The solid part of the soil consists of primary minerals, clay minerals and hydrous oxides, plus organic matter and living organisms . The soil solution in the pore spaces between particles, which actually is a broth or culture media, enables an exchange of ions to take place .
Cation exchange capacity is expressed as milli-equivalents of cations required to neutralize the negative charge of 100 grams of soil at pH 7,0 . Depending upon the content of organic matter and the type and content of clay minerals present, cation exchange capacities range from almost none at all to over 100 milli-equivalents per 100 grams of soil .
The cation exchange capacities of soils influence plant nutrition . Nutrient cations (calcium, magnesium, potassium), held as exchangeable bases, are available to plants, and not easily leached from soil . Because the cation exchange capacity of a soil depends on the content of organic matter and clay, there is variation of such capacity from soil to soil, and in fact, from soil horizon to horizon in the same profile . Total cation exchange capacities below five milli-equivalents per 100 grains of soil are very low, five to 10 are low, and 10 to 20 are medium . Over 20 is considered high .
Exchangeable Cations
Hydrogen and aluminum are the dominant exchangeable cations in most acid soils . In neutral Coils calcium and magnesium - 105 - cations are most common . Strongly alkaline soils contain a large amount of exchangeable sodium in addition to calcium and magnesium .
The level of exchangeable potassium is an indication of the potassium supplying power of the soil . As with other minerals, the exchangeable potassium is in equilibrium with the fixed forms . As the exchangeable potassium is removed by plants, the equili- brium is disturbed, arnd more potassium is released from the fixed forms to restore it . The maintenance of an adequate supply depends upon the reserve and rate of release .
The following levels of exchangeable potassium have been used as an approximate guide :
Very low - less than 30 parts per million Low - 30 - 60 " " " Moderate - 61 - 90 " " " Moderately high - 91 -120 " " " High - 121 + " " "
Methods of Analysis
The percent of organic matter in soil samples was obtained by the wet combustion method, described by Peach (19) . Available phosphorus was determined by the prccedure described by Laverty (15) . Total nitrogen was determined by the procedure described by Atkinson _et _al (1), modified by selenium as a catalyst as suggested by Bremner (2) .
Determination of cation exchange capacity was by the method described by Peach (19) . Total exchangeable bases were determined on the ammonium acetate extract . Exchangeable potassium and sodium were obtained by use of a Beckman B flame spectrophotometer. Versenate titration with Erichrome Block T indicator was used to determine exchangeable calcium plus magnesium . Calcon indicator was employed to obtain calcium alone .
INTERPRETATION OF CHEMICAL A-11TALYSES
Table 3
This table presents data pertaining to 'the significant chemical constituents in most of the lowland soils in Matsqui Municipality, The surface horizons range froiri very strongly acid to neutral .
It is noteworthy that the least acid reactions urc in the subsoils of soils recently deposited by the Fraser River (e .g . Grevell and Monroe series) . This can be expected because the Fraser carries calcareous sediments from the interior, and the river water is neutral to mildly alkaline (pH 7 .0 - 7 .5) . - 106 -
As distance from the river is increased on the floodplain, the slightly acid runoff water from the upland and rain becomes an influential factor, tending to leach the calcium in the sedi- ments and to acidify the soils (e .g. Hallert and Beharrel series) .
The percent base saturation of the lowland soil increases with depth. At the surface it is usually low . There is a rapid increase to medium and high values in the subsoil . This is due to the downward movement of calcium in the mineral soil profiles . Because of a high content of organic matter, cation exchange capacities are high to extremely high in the plow layer of the Humic Gle,ysol soils . They are medium in the Regosol soils, due to a lower content of organic matter .
The above serves to explain why the calcium and magnesium content of soils originally deposited as lateral accretion by the Fraser (e .g . Fairfield series) is higher than those deposited as lateral and vertical accretion deposits of local streams that eroded sediments from the upland (e .g. McElvee series) .
The analyses indicate low exchangeable potassium in almost all lowland soils . Exchangeable sodium is also at a low, safe level, in quantities that are not harmful to plants .
In Table 4, which gives analyses of composite surface samples, the total nitrogen in lowland soils is related to the content of organic matter . There is higher nitrogen in poorly drained Humic Gleysols than in well drained Regosols . Most carbon-nitrogen ratios are from 10 to 17, which is optimum for nitrogen availabi- lity . Though capable of supplying part of the nitrogen require- ment for a crop, if drainage is adequate the nitrogen supply is rapidly depleted .
The data on phosphorus indicates that P-1 (available phos- phorus) and P-2 (available plus acid soluble phosphorus) have a wide range of values between soil series .
Recent work indicates that soils derived from lateral accre- tion deposits of the Fraser, near the river, are high in calcium phosphate, whereas floodplain soils farther f rom the river and the upland soils are high in iron and aluminum phosphates .
Table 4
The analyses of composite samples in Table 4 consists of surface samples from the major soils of the lowland in Matsqui Municipality . From this information a few generalizations are possible .
It is noteworthy that the soils derived from lateral accre- tion deposits near the river have higher base saturation than those that developed from vertical accretion deposits farther away from it . - 107 -
Table 4 also indicates a progressive increase in the content of organic matter and nitrogen in the following order : Regosoll Gleysol to Peaty Gleysol soils . The soils derived from lateral accretions near the Fraser River are lower in available phosphorus than those derived from vertical accretions farther away .
The high P-1 value of 102 parts per million in the Composite No . 2 of Sim series was caused by an application of superphosphate in the previous year. Similarly, a higher than average pH of 5 .8 and calcium content (18 .3 rr_illiequivalents per 100 grams of soil) in Composite No . 3, Hazelwood series, was due to liming the previous crop .
Table 5
This table contains data pertaining to chemical properties of selected upland soil profiles and composite surface samples in Matsqui Municipality . These results show that total nitrogen is proportional to organic matter content in the different soil horizons . Most upland soils have a wide carbon-nitrogen ratio . There is moderate organic matter accumulation (three to four percent) in the surface mineral horizons of the well drained upland soils (e .g . Abbotsford and Whatcom series) . The upland soils with imperfect to poor drainage, such as Custer and Lehman series, have a larger accumulation of organic matter .
In the upland soils the analyses show a lower base saturation percentage than those of the lowland, though pH values may be similar (e .g. Abbotsford vs . Monroe series) . This can be explained by the greater role played by iron and aluminum in the base exchange of the upland soils . In most profiles there is an increase in percentage base saturation with depth, which illus- trates the downward movement of bases in the profile .
Cation exchange capacities and exchangeable cations are low in comparison with those of the lowland soils . It has been shown by experiment that the cation exchange capacity will increase if the soluble iron and aluminum are removed from Brunisolic soils similar to those of the Matsqui upland . The available phosphorus in the surface horizons of these soils is very high in comparison with the lowland soils, and only limited application of phosphatic fertilizers would be required . Teble 3 - CHEMICAL ANALYSES OF LOWLAND SOIL PROFILES IN MATSQUI MUNICIPALITY
Exchangeable Cations and Exchange Capacity m . e ./100 rgns .---- Total Base Organic Nitro- P P Cation Satu- Hori- Depth Matter gen C-N 1 2 Exchange ration zon Inches pH % % Ratio p .p .m. p .p .m . Ca K Na Total Capacity
Annls Series - Peaty Rego Gleysol soils Mg Hp 10- 2 5 .3 56 .5 1 .77 19 .1 50 .3 78 26 .7 3 .3 0 .3 0 .3 30 .6 86 .6 35 .3 F-H 2- 0 4 .8 94 .9 2 .44 22 .5 11 .8 18 12 .5 2 .3 0 .2 0 .2 15 .2 125 .5 12 .1 Cgl 0- 6 5 .2 8 .8 0 .32 15 .6 8 .3 25 14 .4 4 .8 0 .2 0 .3 19 .7 47 .5 41 .5 Cg2 6-12 5 .4 1 .8 0 .10 11 .0 7 " 5 23 11 .3 5 .7 0 .2 0 .6 17 .8 31 .0 57 .4 Cg3 12+ 6 .1 0 .5 0 .04 8 .4 4 .4 54 11 .8 2 .6 0 .1 1 .0 15 .5 20 .2 70 .4
Bates Series - Gleyed Mull Regosol soils
Ap 0- 7 5 .2 17 .9 0 .88 11 .9 10 .9 22 4 .8 1 .6 0 .2 0 .3 6 .9 49 .9 13 .8 Cgj 7-14 5 " 4 2 .5 0 .12 11 .6 16 .8 29 3 " 5 1 .4 0 .1 0 .1 5 .1 23 .8 21 .4 Cgl 14-26 5 .4 0 .9 0 .05 9 .4 21 .4 41 7 .8 1 .4 0 .1 0 .2 9 .5 20 .3 46 .8 Cg2 26+ 5 .5 0 .6 0 .04 9 .0 16 .6 43 9 .0 2 .6 0 .1 0 .2 11 .9 14 .6 81 .5
Banford Series - Shallow Muck soils Hp 23-16 4 .3 55 .8 1 .99 16 .3 30 .0 54 4 .3 1 .2 0 .5 0 .3 6 .3 81 .7 7 .7 F-H 16-11 4.2 91 .2 2 .28 23 .2 5 .0 12 3 .9 1 .3 0 .2 0 .3 5 .7 52 .4 10 .9 FCg 11- 0 4 .7 38 .0 0 .96 22 .9 1 .0 12 7 .6 3 .7 0 .2 0 .2 11 .7 62 .8 18 .6 Cgl 0-14 ~4 .7 8 .1 0 .31 15 .3 3 .4 11 8 .6 3 .6 0 .1 0 .2 12 .5 32 .2 38 .8 Cg2 14+ 4 .6 - - - - - 11 .8 6 .4 0 .2 0 .3 18 .7 29,4 63 .6 Teble 3 - Continued
Exchangeable Cations and Exchange Capacity m.e ./100 gms .
Total Base Organic Nitro- P P Cation Satu- Hori- Depth Matter gen C-N 1 2 Exchange ration 2on Inches pH % % Ratio p .p .m . p .p .m . Ca K Na Total Capacity
Beharrel Series - Humic Eluviated Gleysol soils Mg Ap 0- 7 5 .9 6 .2 0 .30 12 .0 19 .3 66 10 .9 2 .9 0 .1 0 .2 14 .1 28 .0 50 .4 Aeg 7-11 5 .7 5 .0 0 .25 11 .8 19 .8 63 8 .8 3 .5 0 .1 0 .2 12 .6 27 .2 46 .7 3tg 11-19 5 .3 3 .0 0 .12 14 .3 6 .4 34 8 .8 5 .7 0 .1 0 .2 14 .8 28 .0 52 .9 Cgl 19-24 5 .3 5 .2 0 .18 17 .3 5 .0 66 9 .6 6 .0 0 .1 0 .3 16 .0 31.4 51 .6 CgF 24-29 5 .2 21 .6 0 .73 17 .2 5 .6 39 14 .2 7 .5 0 .2 0 .3 22 .2 57 .8 38 .1 0 Cg2 29-35 5 .5 3 .7 0 .16 13 .6 4 .1 136 6 .8 6 .4 0.1 0 .3 13 .6 18 .8 72 .4 `c Cg3 35+ 5 .4 2 .9 0 .13 12 .5 3 .8 124 6 .1 4 .1 0 .1 0 .2 10 .5 16 .0 65 .7
Elk Series - Rego Humic Gleysol soils
Ap 0- 7 5=2 24 .9 0 .43 33 .6 20 .1 37 6 .0 0 .8 0 .2 0 .1 `7 .1 27 .3 26 .0 ,gl 7-15 5 .6 1 .6 0 .08 12~2 11 .0 55 4 .9 0 .8 0 .2 0 .1 6 .0 14 .5 41 .4 TIC 15-20 5 .3 0 .8 0 .04 13 .9 16 .4 23 2 .0 0 .4 0 .1 0 .1 2 .6 6 .5 40 .0 Cg2 20-30 4 .1 5 .0 0 .12 24 .0 17 .7 26 9 .6 2,2 0 .2 0 .2 12-2 20 .9 58 .3 TICg 30+ 3 .7 1 .6 0 .04 21 .1 11 .6 51 7 .4 1 .2 0 .2 0 .2 9,0 11 .2 80 .3
Fairfield Series - Gleyed Mull Regosol soils
Ap 0- 9 5 .4 7 .0 0 .33 12 .2 48 .0 122 10 .3 1 .6 0 .3 0 .1 12 .3 30 .2 40 .7 Igjl 9-14 5 .5 1 .9 0 .12 9 .6 16 .1 63 8 .4 1 .4 0 .1 0 .2 10 .1 23 .0 43 .9 -gj2 14-22 5 .8 0 .9 0 .06 8 .7 11 .2 45 10 .2 2 .2 0 .1 0 .2 12 .7 20 .5 62 .0 ~gj3 22-32 5 .8 1 .2 0 .07 10 .3 8 .4 28 9 .8 2 .2 0 .1 0 .2 12 .3 19 .7 62 .4 Cgj4 32-39 5 .8 - - - 9 .0 30 6 .9 1~8 0 .8 0 .1 9 .6 15 .2 63 .2 IIC 39+ 6 .2 - - - 40 .6 70 1 .8 0 .8 Tr . 0 .1 2 .7 5 .1 53 .0 Table 3 - Continued
Exchangeable Cations and Exchange Capacity - --- m .-e-/100 gms ._
Total Base Organic Nitro- Cation Satu- Hori- Depth Matter gen C-N P1 P2 Exchange ration zon Inches pH % % Ratio p .p .m . p .p .m . Ca Mg K Tctal Capacity
Gretiell Series - Orthic Regosol soils Na C1 0- 9 7 .1 0 .2 0 .02 7 .5 2 .5 71 5 .3* 0 .2 0 .1 5 .6 4 .3 100 .0 C2 9-12 7 .3 0 .4 0 .02 11 .9 2 .2 106 8 .0 0 .2 0 .1 8 .3 7 .8 100 .0 Cgj 12-22 7 .4 0 .7 0 .04 10 .1 2 .5 57 4 .4 0 .8 0 .l 0 .1 5 .4 5 .7 94 .7 , C3 22+ 7 .4 0 .2 0 .01 9 .2 2 .2 54 3 .6 0 .1 0 .1 3 .8 3 .5 100 .0 F, 0 Hallert Series - Peaty Rego Gleysol soils i AP 0- 7 5 .0 27 .5 0 .93 17 .2 8 .6 21 7 .0 1 .9 0.2 0.2 9 " 3 57 .7 l6 .l FCg 7-17 5 .0 30 .4 1 .07 16 .4 5 .0 14 19 .2 4.5 0 .2 0.2 24 .1 65 .1 37 .0 Cgl 17-26 5 .4 12 .3 0 .40 18 .0 2 .1 62 12 .1 8 .6 0 .1 0 .2 21 .0 39 .9 52 .7 Cg2 26-34 5 .4 6 .4 0 .24 15 .4 4 .7 100 9 .8 6 .4 0 .2 0 .2 16 .6 28 .7 57 .8 C93 34+ 5 .4 5 .8 0 .27 12 .5 2 .6 28 10 .1 5 .8 0 .1 0 .2 16 .2 26 .2 61 .9
HGzelwood Series - Orthic rLumic Gleysol soils Ap 0- 9 4 .8 25 .3 0 .98 16 .0 21 .3 41 5 .5 1 .8 0 .3 0 .3 7 .9 59 .3 13 .3 9-14 5 .1 11 .6 0 .32 20 .0 6 .3 12 10 .1 3 .6 0 .1 0 .2 14 .0 39 .8 35 .2 Btg 14-24 5 .2 2 .6 0 .10 13 .8 4 .4 11 11 .8 5 .2 0 .2 0 .2 16 .9 30 .7 55 .0 Cg 24-29 5 .5 1 .1 0 .06 11 .4 4 .1 21 7 .1 3 .8 0 .1 0 .1 11 .1 17 .6 63 .1 IICgl 29-36 5 .7 0 .8 0 .06 8 .2 5 .4 23 4 .3 2 .3 Tr . 0 .1 6 .7 10 .2 65 .8 IICg2 36+ 5 .9 1 .1 0 .06 11.2 5 .4 24 3 .1 2 .0 Tr. 0 .1 5 .2 7 .4 70 .3
*Ca &Mg Table 3 - Continued
Exchangeable Cations and Exchange Capacity m.e ./100 gms .
Total Base Organic Nitro- Cation Satu- Hori- Depth Matter gen C-lt pl P2 Exchange ration zon Inches H % % Ratio p .p .m . p .p .m . g K a otal Capacity J
Lickman Series - Mull Regosol _~oils
Ap 0- 7 6 .3 8 .1 0 .34 13 .7 21 .6 43 3 .8* 0 .1 0 .3 4 .2 24 .2 17 .4 C1 7-17 6 .1 1 .5 0 .08 10 .4 47 .1 63 1a.5 0 .3 0 .1 0 .2 2 .1 10 .9 19 .3 C2 17-22 5 .7 0 .9 0 .05 9 .2 44 .8 59 1 .2 0 .2 0 .1 0 .2 1 .7 8 .1. 21 .0 Cgj 22-28 5 .7 0 .8 0 .05 10 .6 24 .7 42 2 .6 0 .7 Tr. 0 .2 3 .5 10 .0 35 .0 Cg 28+ 5 .8 0 .5 0 .04 7 .9 26 .1 55 2 .6 0 .9 Tr. 0 .2 3 .7 7 .9 46 .8
Apg 0- 6 5 .6 4 .5 0 .22 11 .9 8 .1 28 4 .2 0 .6 0 .1 0 .2 5 .1 15 .9 32 .1 CE,l 6-13 5 .6 1 .6 0 .08 11 .6 16 .1 68 3 .5 0 .5 0 .1 0 .2 4 .3 12 .3 35 .0 Gleysol soils 0 .6 Tr . 0 .2 TJIcElveeT Series-Rego 10 .5 11 .2 61 2 .9 3 .7 7 .8 47 .4 IIC91 13-16 5 .8 0 .9 0 .05 C ¬2 16-28 5 .7 2 .8 0 .15 10 .6 14.4 44 6 .7 1 .0 0 .1 0 .2 8 .0 20 .3 39 .4 IIIC9 30+ 5 .8 0 .8 0 .06 10 .6 22 .0 59 2 .4 0 .6 Tr. 0 .1 3 .1 7 .5 41 .3
Monroe Series - Mull Regosol soils
Ap 0- 8 5 .9 4 .5 0 .18 14 .2 14 .8 103 10 .4 1 .0 0 .2 0 .2 11 .8 21 .4 55 .2 C 8-12 6 .1 1 .7 0 .11 8 .6 2 .8 56 9 .2 1 .0 0 .1 0 .1 10 .4 18 .3 56 .8 63 .8 CIIC 12-14 6 .3 1 .0 0 .08 7 .4 3 .8 60 8 .0 0 .8 0 .1 0 .1 9 .0 14 .1 IICl 14-22 6 .6 0 .9 0.04 14 .7 8 .6 87 4 .1 0 .4 0 .2 0 .1 4 .8 6 .8 70 .6 IIC2 22-25 6 .8 0 .6 0 .02 17 .7 9 .0 52 1 .6 0 .4 0 .1 0 .1 2 .2 3 .1 71 .0 ILC3 25-30 6 .5 ~ - - 5 .1 74 5 .0 0 .8 0 .1 0 .1 6 .0 8 .1 74 .1 IIC4 30+ 6 .7 - - - 6 .6 74 3 .1 0 .7 0 .1 0.1 4 .0 5 .1 77 .4 Table 3 - Continued
Exchangeable Cations and Exchange Capacity m . e ./100 g!ns .
Total Base Organic Vitro- P P Cation Satu- Hori- Depth Matter gen C-N 1 2 Exchange ration 2on Inches pH % % Ratio p .p .m . p .p .m . Ca K Na Total Capacity
Page Series - Rego Gleysol soils Mg gp 0- 6 5 .8 9 .5 0 .38 14 .6 50 .6 96 12 .6 2 .5 0 .2 0 .2 15 .5 42 .1 36 .8 Cgl 6-15 5 .7 1 .0 0 .09 9 .3 6 .6 19 9 .8 4 .5 0 .2 0 .2 14 .7 26 .2 56 .1 Cg2 15-27 5 .7 0 .9 0 .06 8 .8 7 .8 21 12 .8 7 .9 0 .2 0 .3 21 .2 29 .9 70 .9 C93 27-34 6 .0 0 .9 0 .05 10 .8 7 .2 31 11 .8 10 .3 0 .2 0 .3 22 .6 29 .2 77 .4 Cg4 34+ 6 .0 0 .7 0 .05 8 .9 9 .4 43 10 .6 13 .3 0 .2 0 .4 24 .5 32 .6 75 .2
Pre--t Series - Rego Gleysol soils
L-u 3- 0 4 .5 68.2 - - 25 .4 50 6 .6 2 .9 1 .3 0 .2 11 .0 36 .4 30 .2 Cg1 0-10 5 .4 4.3 0 .23 11 .0 5 .4 100 8 .2 5 .0 0 .4 0 .2 13 .8 24.4 56 .6 Cg2 10-18 5 " 7 2 .5 0 .13 11 .2 4 .7 147 6 .7 5 .6 0 .3 0 .2 12 .8 17 .5 73 .1 IICg 18-27 6 .4 0 .9 0 .11 4 .6 3 .8 90 4 .0 3 .0 0 .1 0 .2 7 .3 7 .0 100 .0 Table 4 - CHEMICAL ANALYSES OF COMPOSITE SURFACE SAMPLES OF SELECTED LOWLAND SOILS IN MATSQUI MUNICIPALITY
Exchangeable Cations and Exchanoe Capacity moe ./100 gms .
Total Base Organic Vitro- P P Cation Satu- Semple Matter gen C-id 1 2 Exchange ration No . ~0 %U Ratio p .p .m . p .p .m. Ca Mg K Na Total Capacity
Arnlis Serie s - Peaty Rego Gley sol soils 1 4 .9 53 .9 1 .80 17 .3 9 .1 19 8 .5 2 .3 0 .4 0 .4 11 .6 88.1 13 .2 2 4 .8 38 .9 1 .41 16 .0 14 .8 28 9 .3 1 .9 0 .4 0 .3 11 .9 75 .9 15 .7 3 4 .8 41.4 1 .47 16 .4 10 .9 22 5 .9 4 .7 0 .3 0 .3 11 .2 82 .1 13 .6 4 4 .6 52 .3 1 .72 17 .6 16 .2 28 4 .4 0 .4 0 .2 0 .3 5 .3 84 .4 6 .3 5 4 .6 61 .1 2 .06 17 .2 24 .4 37 8 .8 0 .6 0 .3 0 .2 9 " 9 90 .8 10 .9
Beharrel Series - Humic Eluviated Gleysol soils 1 5 .4 8 .1 0 .34 12 .8 30 .4 79 9 .5 1 .3 0 .3 0 .3 11~4 30 .2 37 .7 2 5 .2 7 .6 0 .34 12 .9 20 .7 74 6 .9 2 .5 0 .2 0 .4 10 .0 32 .2 31 .0 3 5 .5 11 .9 0 .55 12 .5 9 .0 23 15 .3 2 .7 0 .3 0 .2 18 .5 51 .2 36 .1 4 5 .1 12 .8 0 .56 13 .4 40 .2 76 7 .3 1 .8 0 .4 0 .2 9 .7 40 .2 24 .2 5 5 .7 12 .5 0.54 13 .4 36 .3 76 13 .2 1 .6 0.2 0 .4 15 .4 40 .9 38 .5
FGirfield Series - Gleyed Mull Regosol soils 1 5 .5 4 .9 0 .25 11.5 7 .2 85 10 .1 2 .1 0 .2 0 .2 12 .6 23 .3 54 .0 2 5 .5 5 .6 0 .33 10 .0 15 .6 66 9 .1 2 .6 0 .1 0 .2 12 .0 26 .4 45 .5 3 5 .8 4 .5 0 .24 10 .8 3,5 103 11 .5 1 .2 0 .2 0 .3 13 .2 23 .7 55 .6 4 5 .5 5.8 0 .28 11 .8 20 .7 76 7 .6 1 .1 0 .2 0 .2 9 .1 25 .9 35 .2 5 5 .5 6 .8 0 .32 12 .0 17 .7 78 13 .0 2 .3 0 .4 0.2 15 .9 31 .4 50 .6 Table 4 - Continued
Exchangeable Cations and Exchange Capacity m .e ./100 gms .
Total Base Organic Nitro- Cation Satu- Sample Matter gen C-N P1 P2 Exchange ration No . pH % % Ratio p .p .m . p .p .m . Ca Mg K Total Capacity
Gibson Series - Deep Muck soils Na 1 5 .5 47 .4 1 .44 19 .1 25 .2 45 30 .8 2 .2 0 .3 0.3 33 .6 82 .3 40 .8 2 5 .1 69 .3 2 .86 14 .0 8 .8 17 30 .8 2 .0 0 .3 0 :2 33 .3 139 .1 23 .9 3 4 .7 58 .1 2 .57 13 .1 5 .6 10 15 .1 2 .5 0 .3 0 .3 18 .2 132 .1 13 .8 , 4 4 .7 75 .9 2 .40 18 .4 34 .4 51 17 .0 2 .5 0.2 0.2 19 .9 113 .8 17 .6 ,~ 5 5 .0 70 .8 2 .28 18 .0 11 .9 19 19 .6 1 .4 0 .4 0 .2 21 .6 108 .7 19~8
Hallert Series - Peaty Rego Gleysol 1 4 .9 24 .5 0 .87 16 .4 19 .2 48 8 .2 0 .4 0 .2 0 .2 9 .0 53 .8 16 .7 2 5 .3 36 " 2 1 .20 17 .5 9 .4 19 20 .1 2 .8 0 .2 0 .2 23 .3 70 .8 32 .9 3 5 .0 33 " 9 1 .20 16 .4 9 .6 20 10 .1 1 .5 0 .3 0 .3 12 .2 64 .8 18 .8 4 5 .3 25 .6 0 .93 16 .0 22 .2 47 10 .7 0 .5 0 .2 0 .2 11 .6 51 .7 22 .4 5 5 .2 19 .4 0 .71 15 .9 22 .2 52 6 .2 0 .8 0 .2 0 .2 7 .4 45 .9 16 .1
Hazel-wood Series - Orthic Humic Gleysol soils
1 5.0 22 .4 0 .80 16 .2 58 .5 96 8 .8 1 .8 0 .5 0 .3 11 .4 53 .7 21 .3 2 5 .3 21 .9 0 .79 16 .0 63 .7 106 11 .6 1 .7 0 .4 0 .3 14 .0 52 .0 26 .9 3 5 .8 26 .7 0.90 17 .2 31 .7 47 18 .3 2 .7 0.3 0 .4 21 .7 60 .9 35 .6 4 5 .4 21..5 0 .80 15 .5 28 .6 48 11 .8 2 .7 0 .2 0 .5 15 .2 60 .8 25 .0 5 5 .3 22 .2 0 .59 29 .7 47 .1 76 8 .2 2 .7 0 .2 0 .4 11 .5 54 .7 21 .0 Table 4 - Continued
Exchangeable Cations and Exchange Capacity m .e ./100 gms .
Total Base Organic Iditro- Cation Satu- P1 Semple Matter gen C-N P 2 Excnange ration No . pH % % Ratio p .p .m . p .p .m . Ca Mg K Total Capacity
Monloe Series - Mull Regosol soils Na 1 5 .7 4 .0 0 .21 11 .1 8 .6 54 6 .8 0 .9 0 .2 0 .2 8 .1 16 .9 48 .0 2 5 .7 5 .7 0 .28 11 .9 22 .4 54 9 .3 1.2 0 .4 0 .2 11.1. 28 .4 39 .1 3 5 .9 3 .4 0 .18 11 .1 11 .8 86 8 .9 1 .2 0 .2 0.2 10 .5 18 .1 58 .0 4 5 .7 3 .9 0 .20 11 .6 5 .3 68 8 .6 1 .5 0 .2 0 .2 10 .5 18 .9 55 .6 5 5 .9 4 .0 0 .20 11 .2 13 .2 51 11.3 1 .3 0 .4 0 .2 13 .2 23 .9 55 .2 F--~
Page Series - Rego Gleysol soils
1 5 .2 7 .0 0 .37 11 .0 45 .2 129 7 .5 1 .1 0 .8 0 .2 9 .6 27 .3 35 .2 2 5 .5 5 .0 0 .28 10 .3 11 .6 68 9 .2 2 :1 0 .2 0 .2 11 .7 25 .8 45 .3 3 5 .5 4 .6 0 .28 9 .9 5 .6 56 8 .0 1 .5 0 .2 0.2 9 .9 25 .0 39 .6 4 5 .3 4 .2 0 .33 7 .4 16 .6 68 7 .8 1 .9 0.2 0.2 10 .1 33 .0 30 .6 5 5 .5 4 .3 0 .28 9 .1 2 .8 93 9 .0 2 .8 0 .3 0 .2 12 .3 23 .2 53 .0
Sim Series - Rego Humic Gleysol soils
1 5 .2 10 .4 0 .43 14 .1 39 .5 63 6 .0 2 .0 0 .2 0 .2 8,4 40 .6 20 .7 2 5 .2 9 .8 0 .42 13 .4 102 .0 178 4 .6 0 .7~ 0 .5 0 .2 6 .0 30 .6 19 .6 3 5 .4 8 .3 0 .41 11 .8 27 .3 66 5 .7 0 .9 0 .3 0 .2 7 .1 30 .2 22 .2 4 4 .8 13 .2 0 .71 10 .8 53 .1 94 4 .2 1 .0 0 .3 0.3 5 .8 37 .7 15 .4 5' 5 .5 12 .4 0 .55 13 .1 12 .8 27 13 .5 1.9 0.3 0.4 16 .1 48 .0 33 .6 Table 5 - CHEMICAL ANALYSES OF UPLAND SOIL PROFILES AND COMPOSITE SURFACE SAMPLES IN MATSQUI MUNICIPALITY
Exchangeable Cations and Exchange Capacity -_ m, e ./l0~ms .
Total Base Organic Nitro- Cation Satu- P1 Hori- Depth Matter gen C-N Exchange ration zon Inches H % % Ratio p .p .m . g K a otal Capacity
Abbotsford Series - Orthic Concretionary Brown soils
L-H 12- 0 5 .7 32 .6 0 .62 28.5 101 .0 21 .3 2 .7 1 .1 0 .2 25 .3 61 .6 41 .1 Bfccl 0- 4 5 .7 3 .3 0 .12 16 .2 76 .0 0a.7 0 .1 0 .1 0 .1 1 .0 15 .1 7 .3 Bfcc2 4-11 6 .0 1 .7 0 .08 12 .4 12 .0 0 .8 0 .2 Tr. 0 .1 1 .1 13 .8 8 .0 BC 11-16 6 .0 1 .2 0 .06 12 .4 9 .6 0 .5 0 .3 Tr. 0 .1 0 :9 11 .2 8.0 CII0 16-24 6 .0 0 .8 0 .05 9 .4 14 .1 0 .5 0 .3 Tr . 0 .1 0 .9 9 .8 9 .2 IIC 24+ 5 .8 0 .3 0 .02 10 .1 89 .0 0 .5 0 .3 Tr. 0 .1 0 .9 3 .6 25 .0
Aldergrove Series - Orthic Acid Brown. Wooded soils L-H 12- 0 5 .5 43 .0 0 .98 25 .5 43 .0 ------Bfh 0- 4 5 .8 4 .4 0 .13 19 .6 24.0 1 .5 0 .9 0 .3 Tr . 2 .7 17 .9 15 .1 Bf1 4-13 5 .9 2 .5 0 .08 17 .9 10 .0 1 .0* 0 .2 Tr . 1 .2 1.4 .6 8 .2 Bf 2 13-22 6 .0 1 .3 0 .06 12 .7 20.5 0 .8 0 .2 Tr . 1.0 9 .6 10 .4 IIBC 22-31 6 .1 0 .6 0 .04 9 .2 38 .0 0 .8 0 .1 Tr . 0 .9 5 .7 15 .8 IIC 31-43 6 .1 - 0 .01 - 130 .5 0 .3 0 .1 Tr . 0 .4 2 .7 - IIIC 43+ 5 .0 - 0 .03 - 8 .5 ------
Bateman Series - Orthic Acid Brown Forest soils Ah . 0- 9 5 .6 10 .8 0 .42 15 .0 24 .1 9 .1 0 .1 0 .2 0 .1 9 .5 35 .9 26 .5 Bf1 9-20 6 .0 2 .6 0 .08 19 .7 12 .5 2 .1 0 .2 0 .1 0 .1 2 .5 19 .3 13 .0 Bf2 20-25 6 .0 1 .9 0 .06 18 .5 20 .2 1 .8 - 0 .1 0 .1 2 .0 18 .6 10 .8 IIC1 ~5-35 6 .0 0 .8 0 .04 13 .2 65 .0 0 .8 0.2 0 .1 0 .1 1 .2 9 .4 11 .0
*Ca & Mg TEble 5 - Continued
Exchangeable Cat ions an d Exchange Capaci ty m . -e ./100 gms . Tctal Base Organic Nitrc- Cation Satu- P1 Hori- Depth Matter gen C-N Exchange ration zon Inches pH % Ratio p~ P-m . Ca Mg K Na Total Capacity
Cclumbia Series - Orthic Acid Brovvn Wooded soils
L-H 1- 0 5 .6 17 .8 0 .45 22 .9 107 .0 ------Bfh 0- 4 5 .7 4 .6 0 .15 17 .9 165 .0 1 .1 0 .6 0 .2 0 .1 2 .0 14 .8 13 .5 Bf 1 4-12 5 .7 3 .2 0 .11 17 .0 51 .5 0 .5 0 .4 0 .1 0 .1 1 .1 13 .6 8 .1 Bf2 12-18 5 .6 2 .1 0 .08 15 .4 28 .0 0 .1 0 .1 0 .1 0 .1 0 .4 9 .4 4 .3 IIC1 18-26 5 .7 0 .9 0 .03 6 .7 30 .0 ------IIC2 26+ 5 .8 0 .6 0 .02 6 .0 36 .0 ------
Cor"r~ock Series - Rego Humic Gleysol soils Al 0- 8 5 .6 21.8 0 .96 13 .2 13 .5 11 .1 1.6 0 .2 0 .1 13 .0 56 .4 23 .0 Ah 8-12 5 .3 8 .4 0 .41 11 .9 11 .5 l. l 0 .8 0 .1 Tr. 2 .0 42 .2 4 .7 06 12-14 5 .2 3 .5 0 .20 10 .1 8 .5 1 .5 0 .9 0 .1 0 .1 2 .6 31 .3 8 .3 IlAhg 14-18 5 .1 4 .6 0 .27 9 .8 7 .5 1 .6 1 .3 0 .2 0 .1 3 .2 33 .0 9 .7 IIIC1 18-31 5 .4 2 .2 0 .12 10 .6 40 .5 ------IIIC2 31+ 5 .6 1 .2 0 .07 9 .7 61 .0
Custer Series - Gleyed Ortstei.n Podzol soils L-H 2- 0 5 .2 67 .6 1 .67 23 .5 154 .0 ------.A1, e 0- 3 4 .7 8 .3 0 .33 14 .6 12 .0 7 .2 1.8 0 .2 0 .1 9 .3 20 .4 45 .6 .Ae 3- 6 5 .3 1.6 0 .06 15 .4 2 .5 2 .3 1.0 0 .2 0.1 3 .6 5 .7 63 .2 Bfc 6-11 5 .7 2 .3 0 .08 16 .5 5 .5 1 .5 1.0 0 .1 0 .1 2 .7 13 .4 20 .1 Bgc 11-17 6 .0 1 .3 0 .05 15 .6 25 .0 0 .9 0 .7 0 .1 0 .1 1 .8 8 .5 21 .2 IICg 17+ 5 .8 2 .0 0 .06 19 .3 23 .0 0 .7 0 .9 0 .1 0 .1 1 .8 9 .9 18 .2 Table 5 - Continued
Exchangeable Cations and Exchange Capacity m. e ./100 &;:s.
Total Base Organic Nitro- Cation Satu- Hori- Depth Matter gen C-N P1 Exchange ration zon Inches pH J o Ratio p .p .m . Ca Mg K Na Total Capacity
D eiehr Series - Gleyed Acid Brown Wooded. soils
Ap 0- 7 5 .3 10 .1 0 .31 18 .9 22 .0 4 .5 1 .0 0 .2 0 .2 5 .9 25 .9 22 .8 Bfgj 7-11 5 .9 5 .9 0 .19 18 .2 6 .0 2 .0 0 .7 0 .2 0 .1 3 .0 22 .9 13 .1 Bfg 11-17 5 .8 5 .1 0 .15 19 .9 6 .5 1 .1 0 .7 0 .3 0 .3 2 .4 20 .4 11 .8 IIC[,l 17-25 5 .9 3 .2 0 .11 22 .2 9 .0 ' ------IICg2 25+ 5 .7 2 .3 0 .07 27 .3 18 .5 ------
LaxtOn Series - Orthic Acid Brown Wooded soils
L-H 2- 0 5 .7 18 .4 0 .43 24 .8 154 .5 10 .7 2 .1 0 .8 0 .1 13 .7 35 .8 38 .3 Bfh 0- 5 6 .1 3 .1 0 .12 15 " 4 91 .0 2 .8 . 0 .5 0 .1 0 .1 3 .5 18 .2 19 .2 BC 5-11 6 .1 2 .4 0 .08 17 .7 19 .5 2 .0 0 .6 0 .1 0 .1 2 .8 13 .5 20 .7 IIC1 11-17 6 .1 0 .8 0 .04 11 .6 42 .3 1 .0 0 .3 0 .1 0 .1 1 .5 8 .3 18 .1 IIC2 17-29 6,1 0 .4 0 .02 12~2 56 .3 0 .6 0 .1 Tr . 0 .1 0 .8 6 .7 12 .0 IIC3 29+ 6 .1 - - - 87 " 3 0-7 0 " 3 0~1 0 .1 . 1 .2 5 .0 24 .0
Lehman Series - Rego Humic Gleysol soils
H-L 1z- 0 4 .7 18 .3 0.69 15 .4 30 .5 7 .3 1 .3 0 .4 0 .2 9 .2 31-3 29 .4 Ah 0- 7 4 .6 9 .4 0 .34 16 .0 16 .0 2 .4 0 .2 0 .1 0 .1 2 .8 22 .3 12 .6 Cgl 7-11 5 .6 3 .0 0 .11 15 .9 7 " 0 0 .7 0 .2 0 .1 0 .1 1 .1 14 .8 7 .4 IICg2 11-15 5 .9 1 .7 0 .06 17 .0 11 .0 - - - - - 9 .0 - IIC93 15-27 5 .9 1 .2 0 .04 17 .0 21 .0 ------IICg4 27+ 5 .9 1 .0 0 .03 19 .3 21 .5 ------Table 5 - Continued
Exchangeable Cations and Exchange Capacity m. e 1100 gms . - -
Total Base Organic Nitrc- Cation Satu- P1 Hori- Depth Matter gen C-N Exchange ration zon Inches pH % % Ratio p .p .m. Ca Mg x Na Total Capacity
Marble Hill Series - Orthic Acid Brown Wooded soils
L-H 1~- 0 5 .8 25 .1 0 .87 16 .6 83 .5 19 .5 4 .3 0 .8 0 .2 24 .8 51 .8 48,1 Bfh 0- 4 5 .9 5 .2 0 .19 15 .7 35 .7 1 .5 0 .3 0 .1 0 .1 2 .0 24 .1 8 .3 Bf 4-11 5 .9 2 .8 0 .11 14 .3 8 .8 0 .6 0 .3 0 .1 0 .1 1 .1 16 .1 6 .3 BC 11-16 5 .7 2 .3 0 .09 14 .5 9 .1 0 .3 0 .3 0 .1 0 .1 0 .8 14 .4 5 .5 C 16-24 5 .7 1 .6 0 .06 14 .8 10 .8 0 .3 0 .3 0 .1 0 .1 0 .8 12 .0 6 .7 C-IiC 24-30 5 .7 - - - 19 .7 0 .3 0 .2 0 .1 0 .1 0 .7 9 .8 7 .1 IIC 30+ 5 .8 0 .3 0 .02 8 .7 84 .0 0 .3 0 .2 Tr . 0 .1 0 .6 4 .9 12 .2
Nicholson silt loam - Orthic Concretionary Bro-vm soil
L-H 2- 0 5 .3 62 .1 1 .52 23 .7 27 .0 ------Bfccl 1- 7 5 .7 5 .9 0 .17 20 .1 5 .0 1 .4 0 .5 0 .2 0 .1 2 .2 25 .5 8 .6 Bfcc2 7-14 5 .5 3 .5 0 .11 18 .6 3 .5 0 .5 0 .3 0 .1 0 .1 1 .0 20 .1 5 .0 BC 14-18 5 .6 3 .3 0 .11 17 .6 5 .0 0 .4 1 .2 0 .1 0 .2 1 .9 22 .0 8 .6 Cl 18-28 6 .6 0 .3 0.02 8.0 3 .0 4 .4 3 .0 0 .1 0 .3 7 .8 14 .9 52 .4 C2 28+ 6 .6 0 .3 0 .02 8 .0 2 .0 9 .0 7 .3 0 .2 0 .3 16 .8 22 .8 73 .7
Peardonville Series - Orthic Acid Brown Wooded soils L-H 1- 0 4 .7 44 .2 1 .59 16 .1 214 .5 ------~fh 0- 6 5 .4 6 .0 0 .22 15 .7 233 .0 2 .9 0 .6 0 .1 0 .1 3 .7 23 .0 16 .1 Bf 6-12 5 .5 4 .5 0 .16 16 .3 99 .0 0 .5 0 .7 0 .1 Tr . 1 .3 18 .5 7 .0 IIC1 12-23 5 .9 1 .4 0 .05 15 .6 29 .5 ------IIC2 23-44 6 .1 - - - 33 .0 ------IIC3 44+ 6 .2 - - - 90 .0 ------Table 5 - Continued
Exchangeable Cations and Exchange Capacity m .e ./100 gms .
Total Base Cation Satu- Organic Nitro- P1 Exchange ration Hori- Depth Natter gen C-N Ratio p .p .m . Ca K Total Capacity zon Inches pH % °
Ross Series - Rego Humic Gleysol soils Na 22 .0 5 .7 1 .4 0 .2 0 .2 7 .5 37 .4 20 .1 Ah 0- 9 4 .7 12 .4 0 .63 11 .4 1 Tr. 0 .3 8 .4 23 .3 36 .1 AC 9-13 5 .3 1 .8 0 .15 6 .9 48 .0 6 .2 .9 4 .2 0 .1 0 .5 12 .2 17 .9 68 .2 Cgl 13-22 5 .4 0 .5 0 .04 8 .0 15 .0 7 .4 0 22 .1 91 .7 Cg2 22+ 6 .2 0 .5 0 .04 8 .0 7~5 12 .6 8 .9 0 .1 .5 24 .1
Ryder S eries - Orthic Acid Brown Wooded soils 1 .7 0 .2 25 .0 51 .9 48 .2 L-H 12- 0 5 .8 28 .4 0 .82 20 .0 145 .3 19 .3 3 .8 2 .8 0 .9 0 .4 0 .3 4 .4 23 .8 18 .5 Bfh 0- 7 6 .1 4 .4 0 .17 15 .2 30 .1 0 .1 1 .8 20 .0 9 .0 Bf 7-15 5 .3 3 .4 0 .12 16 .3 24 .8 1 .2 0 .3 0 .2 0.1 0 8 CIIC1 15-22 5 .9 1.1 0.05 14 .2 7 .7 0 .3 0 .4 0 .1 .9 10 .8 .3 Tr . Tr . 0 .4 5 .3 7 .5 IICl 22-30 5 .9 0 .3 0 .02 7 .3 43 .6 0 .1 0 .3 Tr . 0 .1 0 4 .5 11 .1 IIC2 30+ 5 .9 0 .2 0 .02 7 .6 72 .0 0 .1 0 .3 .5
Whatcom silt loam - Orthic Acid Brown Wooded soil L-H 2- 0 4 .0 74 .1 2 .53 17 .0 214 .5 ------1 .9 0 .3 0 .1 3 .9 30 .9 12 .6 Bfh 1- 4 5 .1 7 .3 0 .27 15 .7 9 .0 1 .6 0 .1 1 .0 19 .6 5 .1 BIl 4-13 5 .4 3 .5 0 .15 13 .5 6 .5 0 .3 0 .3 0 .3 1 .0 14 .3 7 .0 Bf2 3.3-21 5 .6 2 .5 0 .12 11 .9 6 .5 0 .3 0 .4 0 .2 0 .1 0 .1 4 .0 24 .1 16 .6 BC- 21-29 5 .7 1 .9 0 .08 14 .0 25 .5 2 .3 1 .3 0 .3 7 .6 3 .0 0 .3 0 .2 11 .1 16 .5 66 .7 C ~9+ 5 .3 0 .4 0 .02 12 .5 13 .0 Table 5 - Continued
Exchangeable Cations and Exchange Capacity m.e . 100 gms .
Total Base Organic Nitro- Cation Satu- Exchange ration Hori- Depth Matter gen C-N P1 K Total Capacity p zon Inches pH % % Ratic p . p .m . Ca Mg Na
Bcat Series - Rego Humic GlP",4ol soils Ah 0-10 5 .3 10 .9 0.44 14 .4 41 .5 5 .9 2 .1 0 .2 0 .4 8 .6 33 .2 25 .9 AC 10-18 5 .9 3 .1 0 .17 10. .4 41 .5 5 .8 2 .2 0 .3 0 .4 8 .7 24 .9 34 .9 Cgl 18-28 6 .2 0 .5 0 .03 9 .0 16 .0 5 .7 2 .2 0 .2 0 .3 8 .4 12 :1 69 .4 Cg2 28+ 6 .3 0 .4 0 .03 7 .0 12 .0 8 .2 3 .1 0 .2 0 .4 11 .9 14 .0 85 .0
Composite Surface Samples
Abbotsford Series - Orthic Concretionary Brown soils
1 5 .4 7 .0 0 .20 20 .4 113 .5 4 .2 0 .7 0 .7 0 .1 5 .7 18 .3 31 .2 2 5 .5 4 .5 0 .15 10 .7 99 .0 2 .3 0 .3 0 .3 0 .3 2 .9 13 .0 22 .3 3 4 .3 6 .6 0 .22 17 .4 390 .5 4 .1 0 .1 1 .1 0 .1 5 .4 17 .1 31 .6 3 .6 4 5 .2 5 .0 0 .13 22 .3 787 .0 2 .1 0 .8 0 .5 0 .2 14 .0 25 .7 5 5 .8 6 .9 0 .24 16 .8 43 .5 6 .0 0 .9 0 .2 0 .1 7 .2 18 .7 38 .5
Marble Hill Series - Orthic Acid Brown Wooded soils 1 5 .5 10 .4 0 .36 16 .5 36 .5 5 .1 0 .3 0 .2 0.2 5 .8 33 .5 17 .3 2 6 .3 6 .3 0 .28 12 .9 166 .3 10 .4 0 .6 0 .6 0 .2 11 .3 27 .2 43 .4 3 5 .6 8 .5 0 .30 14 .7 55 .7 3 .5 0.4 0 .2 0 .1 4 .2 25 .8 16 .3 4 6 .0 10 .0 0 .37 15 .5 34 .7 12 .1 1 .2 0 .2 0 .2 13 .7 35 .5 38 .9 5 5 .5 8 .9 0 .27 19 .2 96 .3 4 .0 0.3 0.5 0 .1 4 .9 26 .7 18 .4 Table 5 - Continued
Exchangeable Cations and Exchange Capacity m.e ./100 gms .
Total Base Organic Nitro- Cation Satu- Hori- Depth Matter gen C-N P1 Exchange ration zcn Inches pH % % Ratio p .p .m. Ca K Na Total Capacity
R,yder Series - Orthic Acid Brown Wooded soils Mg 1 5 .5 8 .9 0 .33 15 .7 36 .5 5 .1 0 .3 0.2 0 .2 5 .8 33 .5 17 .3 2 5 .6 6 .0 0 .22 16 .0 166 .3 10 .4 0 .6 0 .6 0 .2 11 .8 27 .2 43 .4 3 5 .7 6 .3 0 .23 15 .8 55 .7 3 .5 0 .4 0 .2 0 .1 4 .2 25 .8 16 .3 i 4 5 .7 8 .5 0 .31 13 .9 34 .7 12 .1 1.2 0.2 0 .2 13 .7 35 .5 38 .6 N 5 6 .0 7 .2 0 .26 16 .1 96 .3 4 .0 0 .3 0 .5 0 .1 4 .9 26 .7 18 .4 r"w i Whatcom silt loam - Orthic Acid Brcwn Wooded soil 1 5 .2 7 .5 0 .30 14 .4 17 .0 1 .6 0 .8 0 .5 0 .1 3 .0 22 .7 13 .2 2 5 .1 9 .4 0.40 13 .6 20 .0 4 .3 0 .2 0 .1 0 .3 4 .9 24 .9 19 .7 3 5 .2 5 .2 0 .21 14 .4 35 .5 2 .7 0 .2 0 .1 0 .2 3 .2 19 .4 16 .5 4 5 .2 8 .3 0 .35 13 .8 9 .0 0 .9 1 .5 0 .1 0 .1 2 .6 25 .8 10 .1 5 5 .0 7 .0 0 .27 14 .9 11 .0 1 .7 0 .1 0 .2 0 .1 2 .1 22 .0 9 .5 -123-
REFERENCES
1 . Atkinson, H . J ., G . R . Giles, A . J . MacLean and J . R . Wright . Chemical methods of soil analysis . Canada Department of Agriculture, Science Service, Chemistry Division, Ottawa . 1958 .
2 . Bremner, J . M. Determination of nitrogen in the soil by the Kjeldahl method . Journal of Agricultural Science, Vol . 55, No . 1 . 1960 .
3 . British Columbia Department of Agriculture, Victoria . Annual reports . 1945-61 .
4 . British Columbia Department of Agriculture, Victoria . Climate of British Columbia . Annual reports . 1916-62 .
5 . British Columbia Department of Agriculture, Victoria . Fertilizer reccmmendations for the Lower Mainland - Zone 2 . 1962 .
6 . British Columbia Department of Agriculture, Cloverdale . Proceedings of the soils advisory committee, subcommittee on drainage . 1962 .
7 . British Columbia Department of Agriculture, Kelowna . Interim soil survey reports of Chilliwack, Sumas and Surrey munici- palities . 1961-62 .
8 . British Columbia Department of Agriculture, Victoria . Forage crop recommendations for the Lower Mainland - Zone 2 . 1963 .
9 . Carne, I . C . Red raspberry growing with particular applica- tion to the Fraser Valley . B . C . Department of Agriculture, Victoria . Horticultural Circular No . 89 . 1962 .
10 . Carne, I . C . Strawberry growing with particular application to the Fraser Valley . B . C . Department of Agriculture, Victoria . Horticultural Circular No . 88 . 1962 .
11 . Connor, A. J . The frost-free season in British Columbia . Canada Department of Transport . Meteorological Division, Toronto, Ontario . 1949 .
12 . Corporation of the District of Matsqui . Annual report . Municipal Hall, R . R . No . 1, Abbotsford, B . C . 1961 .
13 . Halstead, E . C . Water resources of Matsqui Municipality, British Columbia . Water supply paper No . 238 . Canada Department of Mines and Technical Surveys, Ottawa . 1959 . - 124 -
14 . Kelley, C . C . and R . H . Spilsbury . Soil survey of the Lower Fraser Valley . Publication 650 . Canada Department of Agriculture, Ottawa . 1939 . (out of print)
15 . Laverty, J . C . The Illinois method (Bray No . 1) for deter- mining available phosphorus in soils . Department of Agronomy . University of Illinois . College of Agriculture, Urbana . 1961 .
16 . Lyons, C . P . . Trees, shrubs and flowers to know in British Columbia . Second addition . J . M . Dent & Sons (Canada) Ltd ., Vancouver . 1959 .
17 . Tti7enzie, E . L ., 0 . Klassen and F . van Ande1 . Dairy farm management manual . B . C . Department of Agriculture and Department of Agricultural Economics, University of B . C ., Vancouver . 1958 .
18 . National Soil Survey Committee . Report of a meeting held at Ontario Agricultural College, Guelph, Ontario . February, 1960 .
19 . Peach, M ., L . T . Alexander, L . A. Dean and J . F. Reed . Methods of soil analyses for soil fertility investigation . U . S . D . A. Circular No . 757 . Washington, D . C . 1957 .
20 . Thorp, J . R . Highland blueberries in British Columbia . B . C . Department of Agriculture, Victoria . Horticultural Circular No . 84 . 1959 .
21 . United States Department of Agriculture . Soil survey manual . U . S . Department of Agriculture Handbook No . 18 . U . S . Government Printing Office, Washington 25, D . C . 1951 . APPENDIX :
Table A - AVERAGE MONTHLY AND ANNUAL MEAN TEMPERATURES (4) Degrees F
Station Feb . Mlarch April May June July Aug . Sept . Oct . Nov . Dec . Annual
New Westminster 36 39 43 50 56 60 64 64 59 51 43 39 51
1bbotsford 34 38 42 48 54 59 62 62 58 50 42 38
Agassiz 35 39 43 50 56 60 64 64 60 52 43 38 50
Aldergrove 39 42 44 46 53 60 64 64 54 47 39 36 49 Table B - MONTHLY AND ANNUAL PRECIPITATION AT ALDERGROVE, 1953 TO 1962 (4) Inches
Year Jan . Feb . March April May Ju_ne July Aug . Sept . Oct . Nov . Dec . Annual
1953 - - - 4 .29 1 .88 3 .90 2 .13 1 .22 5 .42 5 .95 12 .01 13 .16 - 1954 10 .82 7 .38 3 .09 4 .77 2 .22 3 .93 1 .78 3 .71 3 .07 2 .73* 15 .12* 7 .42* 66 .04 1955 5 .08 5 .05 5 .94 4 .54 4 .01 2 .96 3 .55* 0.17* 1 .92 8.82 12 .72 8 .07 62 .83 1956 7 .27 6 .42 6 .37 0 .80* 1 .41* 6 .14* 0 .60 1 .71 6 .85 11 .29* 3 .74* 13 .68* 66 .28 1957 3 .88* 5 .16 7 .55 3 .94 1 .74 2 .28 2 .07 2 .40 1 .13* 3 .36 4 .71 7 .76 45 .98* 1958 11 .51 6 .25 2 .40* 3 .85 2 .22 0 .70* 0 .41* 1 .74 2 .67 7 .08 9 .01 9 .53 57 .37 1959 9 .85 6 .35 8 .32* 6 .53* 4 .13* 3 .03 1 .34 1 .60 7 .98* 5 .86 9 .41 8 .82 73 .20* 1960 8.15 6 .01 5 .69 4 .12 2 .98 3 .19 1 .49 2 .09 3 .89 6 .72 9 .23 9 .31 62 .87 1961 11 .93* 13 .62* 7 .85 3 .26 4 .02 1 .54 0.96 2 .63 1 .90 8 .47 6 .24 10 .27 72 .69 1962 9 .21 3 .29* 4 .99 5 .68 3 .36 2 .37 1 .31 5 .01* 4 .63 4 .97 10 .42 9 .98 65 .22
*High 11 . 93 13 .62 8 .32 6 .53 4 .13 6 .14 3 .55 5 .01 7 .98 11 .29 15-12 13 .68 73 . 20 *Low 3 .88 3 .29 2 .40 0 .80 1 .41 0.70 0,41 0 .17 1 .13 2 .73 3 .74 7 .42 45 .98 Table C - MONTHLY AND ANNUAL PRECIPITATION AT ABBOTSFORD AIRPORT, 1951 TO 1962 (4) Inches
Year Jan . Feb . March April May June July Aug . Sept . Oct . Nov . Dec . Annual
1951 11 .55 12 .37 8 .39* 2 .02 3 .28 0.93 0 .11 0 .63 3 .12 7 .27 5 .48 6 .74 61 .89 1952 4 .81 3 .93 4 .43 3 .50 2 .82 3 .32 0.93 0 .88 1 .78* 2 .04* 1 .33* 7 .73 37 .50 1953 17 .36* 4 .57 5 .44 4 .09 2 .04 4 .52 1 .69 1 .07 3 .65 7 .47 10 .79 12 .41* 75 .10* 1954 10 .27 5 .71 2 .66 4 .59 2 .57 3 .95 1 .25 3 .68 2 .16 2 .41 14 .52* 6 .16 59 .93 1955 4 .10* 5 .67 5 .14 5 .59 4 .80 2 .39 2 .38* 0 .24* 1.93 8 .66* 10 .39 8 .17 59 .46 1956 - - - 1 .12* 1 .65 6 .38~~ 0 .43 1 .56 7 .07* - - - - 1957 5 .46 5 .00 4 .71 4 .31 3 .79 3 .53 1 .59 1 .68 3 .58 5 .04 7 .56 7 .71 54 .00* 1958 10 .90 7 .19 2 .15* 4 .53 1.54* 0 .81* 0 .02 1 .73 3 .05 7 .26 8 .80 8 .35 56 .33 1959 9 .32 5 .69 6 .74 6 .15* 3 .22 2 .82 1 .04 2 .19 6 .03 5 .48 7 .72 8 .10 64 .50 1960 7 .50 4 .88 5 .36 3 .22 7 .85* 3 .22 Tr.* 3 .70 2 .08 8.38 6 .64 5 .63* 58 .46 1961 8 .46 12 .71* 6 .79 3 .12 4 .08 1 .08 0 .79 2 .00 1 .99 8 .30 5 .32 8 .71 63 .35 1962 6 .79 3 .27* 4 .77 4.39 3 .74 1 .70 1 .09 6 .17* 4 .49 3 .37 8 .44 9 .11 57 .33
High 17 .36 12 .71 8 .39 6 .15 7 .85 6 .38 2 .38 6 .17 7 .07 8 .66 14 .52 12 .41 75 .10
*Low 4 .10 3 .27 2 .15 1.12 1.54 0 .81 Tr . 0 .24 1 .78 2 .04 1 .33 5 .63 54 .00 Table D - SPRING AND FALL FROSTS AND DURATION OF FROST-FREE PERIODS (11)
Frost- Last Frost in Sp First Frost in Autumn free rin g i Station Mean Earliest Latest Mean Earliest Latest Days
Vancouver City April 1 February 19 April 30 Ncvember 5 September 23 ~ December 5 f 218
Abbotsford Airport April 24 April 4 &Iay 8 October 7 September 18 0ctcber 18 166 i Y N Agassiz April 14 February 25 May 24 October 29 September 7 December 24 198
Chilliwack April 20 March 12 May 24 October 21 September 24 December 7 184 Table E - AVERAGE MONTHLY AND ANNUAL SNOWFIJL (4) Inches
Years of Station Jan . Feb . March April May June July Aug. Sept . Nov.. Dec . Year Record
Vancouver City 5 .1 3 .8 0 .9 Tr .* - - - - - Oct- . 1 .0 2 .6 13 .6 41 Abbotsford Airport 11 .8 5 .1 5 .0 0 .3 - - - - - Tr . 2 .1 5 .7 30 .0 11
Abbotsford (Upper Sumas) 5 .9 6 .1 2 .2 Tr . ------2 .3 4 .8 21 .3 25
Agassiz 13 .5 9 .9 4 .0 0 .3 0 .1 - - - - - 3 .1 7 .6 38 .5 66
*~ race -130-
GLOSSARY
Aggregate (soil ) - A single mass or cluster of soil consisting of rnany soil particles held together as a prism, granule or ether form .
Alluvium - All materials moved and deposited by running water.
Anthropic - A general term meaning man-made . It refers to soil altered by man .
Available plant nutrients - Nutrients in the soil in condition to be taken up by plant roots .
Base saturation percentage - The percentage of the total cation exchange capacity of the soil which is satisfied by cations other than hydrogen .
Boulders - Fragments of rock over two feet in diameter .
Cation exchange ca acit - A measure of the adsorptive capacity of soil for cations9 . hydrogen plus bases) or the amount of cations that can be adsorbed by a stated quantity of soil, usually expressed as milli-equivalents per 100 grams of dry soil .
Cobble - A fragment of rock from three to ten inches in diameter .
Colluvium - Poorly sorted material which accumulates at the base of steep slopes through the influence of gravity .
Concretions - Hard concentrations of soil cemented by certain chemical compounds into aggregates or nodules of various sizes and shapes,
Consistence - The relative mutual attraction of the particles in the whole soil mass, or their resistance to separation or deformation .
Dry-farming - Farming without irrigation, particularly in areas where rainfall in the growing season is not adequate for optimum crop production .
Dune - A mound or ridge of sand piled by wind .
Eluvial horizon - A soil horizon from which material has been removed in solution or water suspension .
Eolian depos it - Wind deposited sediments such as loess and sand dunes .
Floodplain - A river deposit subject to overflow . A floodplain is characterized by a series of lateral accretions near the river channel, and then a gentle down-slope to a generally swamped inner margin . Friable - A soil aggregate easily crushed between the fingers, and nonplastic .
Glaciolacustrine deposits - Sediments deposited in former glacial lakes .
Glacio-fluvial deposits - Material carried, sorted and deposited by melt-water streams .
Glacio-marine deposits - Refers to materials dropped in the sea by glacier ice .
Glacial drift - All material transported and deposited by glaciers and by melt-water from glaciers . It includes till and glacial outwash .
Glacial till - An unsorted, generally unconsolidated, heterogeneous mixture of stones, gravels, sand, silt, and clay deposited by glacier ice .
Gle,y - A soil process in which the material has been modified by reduction brought about by saturation with water for long periods in the presence of organic matter .
Horizon - A layer of the soil profile approximately parallel to the land surface . It has more or less well defined characteris- tics derived from the soil-building process . Horizon boundaries are described as abrupt if less than one inch wide, clear if from one to 22 inches, gradual if 2z to five inches, and diffuse if more than 5 inches vertical width .
Horizon nomenclature - Capital and lower case letters used to designate horizons in this report are as follows :
Organic Horizons L - An organic layer characterized by the accumulation of organic matter in which the original structures were definable .
F - An organic layer characterized by the accumulation of partly decomposed organic matter . The original structures are discernable with difficulty . Fungi mycelia often present .
H - An organic layer characterized by an accumulation of decom- posed organic mat~ter in which the original structures are undefinable .
Master Mineral Horizons A - A mineral horizon or horizons formed at or near the surface in the zone of maximum removal of materials in solution and suspension and/or maximum accumulation of organic matter in the soil itself . - 132 -
B - A mineral horizon or horizons characterized by an enrichment of clay, iron, aluminum, and/or illuvial organic matter in sufficient quantities to meet defined limits . These enrich- ments may be accompanied by slight alteration due to hydro- lysis and/or oxidation and the formation of structure .
C - A mineral horizon comparatively unaffected by the pedogenic processes operating in the A and B horizons, excepting the formation of gley, the accumulation of carbonates and the more soluble salts . Lithologic changes in the profile are identified by the Roman numerals II, III, etc .
Lower Case Suffixes c - A cemented (irreversible) pedogenic horizon . ca - A horizon with secondary carbonate enrichment . cc - Cemented (irreversible) pedogenic concretions . e - A horizon characterized by the removal of clay, iron, aluminum or organic matter . Lighter in color by one or more units of value or chroma when dry than the layers below . f - A horizon enriched with iron . It is redder in color than either the horizon above or below it .
g A horizon characterized by chemical reduction and gray colors, often mottled (gley) . h - A horizon enriched with organic matter .
j - A horizon whose characteristics are weakly expressed (juvenile) . k - A horizon in which the presence of carbonates is indicated by visible effervescence with dilute acid . m - A horizon slightly altered by hydrolysis and/or solution to give a change in color and/or structure (mellowed) .
n - A horizon with distinctive morphological and physical characteristics as shown by black or dark colorations or coatings on the surface of the peds, and characterized by prismatic or columnar structure and hard to very hard consistence when dry .
p A layer disturbed by man's activities ; i .e ., by cultivation and/or pasturing . Used only in reference to the A horizon .
Hummock,y - Topography characterized by an uneven surface due to small knolls .
Illuvial horizon - A horizon that has received material in solu- tion from some other part of the soil profile .
Lateral accretion - Fine sands and silts deposited horizontally near river margins by drifting along the bottom during freshet overflow . -133-
Leaching - Removal of soluble constituents from the soil by percolating water .
Levee - A natural embankment along a river channel on a floodplain .
Loess - Silty and very fine sand material blown and deposited by wind .
Microrelief - Small surface configurations that are significant in soil forming processes, to the growth of plants, or in the preparation of the soil for cultivation .
Mottled - Irregular spots or streaks of different colors in soils . Indicates oxidation and reduction caused by a fluctuating water table .
Muck - Fairly well decomposed organic soil, often containing a relatively high proportion of mineral material .
Orthic - A term used to define the subgroup of soils considered to be the central concept of a great soil group . Other subgroups are departures from the Orthic .
Outwash - All materials washed out of melting glacier ice and deposited by melt water streams .
Parent material - The unconsolidated geological material from which the solum of a soil profile develops .
Peat - Undecomposed to partly decomposed organic material with recognizable plant remains . Peat accumulates in bogs and seepage areas under very moist conditions .
Ped - An individual natural soil aggregate .
Percolation - Downward movement of water through the soil, especially the downward flow of water in saturated or nearly saturated soil .
Permeability - The quality or state of a soil or of any horizon in the soil profile that permits passage of water or air to all parts of the mass .
,pH - A logarithmic designation of the relative acidity or alka- linity of soil or other materials .
Plant nutrients - The elements taken in by the plant, essential to its growth and used by it in the elaboration of its food and tissue .
Plastic - Capable of being molded or modeled without rupture when moist . -134-
Porosit,y - The percentage of the total soil volume not occupied by soil particles .
Profile - A vertical section of the soil through all horizons, and extending into the parent material .
Solum - The part of the soil profile above the parent material in which soil formation is taking place . The A and B horizons . (Sola is plural .)
Stratified - Composed of, or arranged in, strata or layers, as stratified alluvium .
Structure - The morphological aggregates in which individual soil particles are arranged . The following structures are mentioned in this report : Platy - Thin, horizontal plates ; the horizcntal axis is longer than the vertical one, Prismatic - Large aggregates with vertical axis longer than the horizontal, and with well defined surfaces and edges . The tops are usually flat . Blocky - Block-like aggregates ; the vertical and horizontal axes about the same length, usually with sharp edges . Subangular blocky - Block-like aggregates with vertical and horizontal axes about the same length, usually with sub-rounded edges . Granular - More or less rounded aggregates, with an absence cf smooth faces and edges . Massive - A cohesive soil mass having no observable aggregation . Single-grained - A loose, incoherent mass of individual particles, as in sand .
Talus - Fragments of rock collected at the foot of a cliff or a steep slope, chiefly by gravitational forces .
Terrace - A relatively flat, horizontal or gently inclined plain of variable size, step-shaped .
Texture - Soil texture is based on the amount of sand, silt and clay a soil may have . Sand consists of particles which range in size from 2 .0 to 0 .5 mm ; silt from .05 to .002 mm ; while clay consists of all particles less than .002 mm .
Vertical accretion - Sediments that settle in ponds on the flood- plain in the freshet season .
Water table - The upper limit in the soil or underlying material which is saturated with water.
Weathering - The physical and chemical disintegration and decom- position of rocks and minerals .