The soil formed primarily in a thin loamy mantle underlain by platy sandstone. The mean annual temperature ranges from 45 to 55 degrees F, and mean annual precipitation from 28 to 36 inches. These are primarily the Gale , Hixton , and Elkmound soils. These soils occupy similar landscape positions, but are not easily distinguished from one another on surface features alone. Surface runoff is slow to very rapid.
Permeability is moderate.
The forests are predominantly of oaks. Some of the less sloping areas have been cleared and are being used for growing hay, corn, and small grain. These soils are of moderate extent. Iowa County, Wisconsin, 1960. Parts of the soils now placed in the Northfield series were formerly included in the Gale series as a shallow phase.