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APPENDIX I

Soils and Vegetation‘

The Chilako Association is the most extensive of the non-arable group of
soils. It has been developed on glacial till and consists of medium to light
textured soils. The tree cover, mainly lodgepole pine and spruce is valuable
as building material and fuel. The soil survey considers the Association
unarable because of the heavy forest cover, stoniness, coarse texture and lack
of subsurface water.

The Barrett Association likewise was derived from glacial till. The topo-
graphy is generally unfavourable, varying from rolling to mountainous. In
addition heavy clearing is required and stoniness prevails. As a result these
soils are deemed more suitable for forests than for agriculture. Vegetation
consists mainly of lodgepole pine, which varies in density from thin to com-
mercial stands.

The Gunniza Association is considered the poorest soil of the area. It is
gravelly and stony, low in organic matter and low in moisture-holding capacity.
It is most often found associated with the Chilako Association.

The Eena Association is lacustrine in origin. It is a sandy soil free of
stones. Drainage is excessive and as a result only small depressional areas are
suitable for agriculture. These small areas are, however, seldom large enough
for a farm unit. With those exceptions the Association is non-arable.

The Mapes Association is also lacustrine in origin. It is generally a rather
unproductive soil and is considered to be on the border line of arability. The
texture is coarse, organic matter and moisture-holding capacity are low. The
natural vegetation is lodgepole pine, characterized by open stands of mature
trees which are valuable as firewood and fencing material only.

The Saxton and Giscome Associations are of small extent. They are found
on gravelly water-worked deposits. Excessive drainage makes these soils
unsuitable for agriculture.

The Braeside Association, similar in origin to the Saxton, is low in organic
matter, poor in water-holding capacity and is considered best used when left
in its forested state. :

The arable Associations are ten in number. Generally they consist of
lacustrine and alluvial deposits and the soils developed on glacial till where
the topography is suitable for cultivation.

The Pineview Association is a clay soil, lacustrine in origin. Except for
the hilly phases, which occupy relatively small areas, the soils of this Associa-
tion are arable. However, because of the cost of clearing the forest cover
about one-half of the area has been classified as temporarily non-arable. The
natural forest on that part consists of a heavy growth of lodgepole pine and
spruce. On the other hand the area occupied mainly by aspen and willow is
suitable for agricultural development.

The soil in general lacks organic matter and the heavy texture impedes
spring drainage. Alsike clover is recommended as a crop that will add organic
matter and probably also increase the permeability of the soil. In spite of its
faults, when this soil is properly managed grain and hay crops yield well.

1 Summarized from Farstad, L. and D. G. Laird, “Soil Survey of Vanderhoof-Smithers Area,
British Columbia,’’ Unpublished; and from Kelley, C. C. and L. Farstad, ‘‘Soil Survey of the Prince
George Area, British Columbia,” British Columbia Soil Survey Report No. 2. 1946.