The following is a map unit description from the "Soil Survey of Barnstable County, Massachusetts (Fletcher, 1993)"

Ft-Freetown coarse sand, 0 to 1 percent slopes. This very deep, level, very poorly drained soil is on outwash plains, on moraines, and in areas of glacial lake deposits. It is in depressions and in areas adjacent to streams, ponds, and lakes. Areas of this soil have been altered for the production of cranberries. Most have a network of open ditches for drainage control. The soil makes up about 1.6 percent (4,153 acres) of the survey area. Isolated areas of the soil are mapped throughout the county. They are irregular in shape and range from 5 to 75 acres in size.

Typically, the surface layer is brown, loose coarse sand about 1 0 inches thick. Below this to a depth of 65 inches or more are alternating layers of dark reddish brown and very dusky red muck and mucky peat.

Included with this soil in mapping are areas of Berryland, Pipestone, and Swansea soils. These soils make up about 15 percent of this unit.

Permeability is very rapid in the mineral surface layer of the Freetown soil and moderate or moderately rapid in the organic underlying material. Available water capacity is very high. The seasonal high water table, which is controlled for cranberry production, is within a depth of 1.5 feet.

Most areas are used for cranberry production. Some areas have been abandoned and support shrubby vegetation. Because of the seasonal high water table, this soil is unsuited to cultivated crops other than cranberries and blueberries.

This soil is poorly suited to woodland because of the wetness, a high seedling mortality rate, and a hazard of windthrow. Optimum growth and survival of seedlings are not expected. Generally, trees are not common in areas of this soil.

This soil is generally unsuited to most nonfarm uses because of the wetness and low strength in the organic material. Alternative sites should be selected.

The capability subclass is IVw.