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Soil Survey of Bristol County, Massachusetts SOUTHERN PART The following Map Unit Description is from the 1981 Soil Survey of Bristol County, Southern Part. Please note: map unit symbols are DIFFERENT for Bristol South and Bristol North reports, do NOT use these descriptions for Bristol North. AgA-Agawam fine sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes. This soil is nearly level, deep, and well drained. It is in areas that are irregular in shape. The areas range from 5 to 80 acres, but most are about 30 acres. Typically, the surface layer is black fine sandy loam about 1 inch thick. The subsoil is brown fine sandy loam 17 inches thick. The substratum extends to a depth of 60 inches or more. It is brown loamy fine sand to a depth of 28 inches, brown sand between depths of 28 and 41 inches, and brown gravelly sand at a depth of more than 41 inches. Included with this soil in mapping are a few places where the soil is silt loam or very fine sandy loam throughout. Most units have small areas of Merrimac and Windsor soils, and some have small areas of Ninigret soils in slight depressions. Some areas of this unit have slopes of 3 to 5 percent. Included soils make up about 20 percent of the unit. The permeability of this Agawam soil is moderately rapid in the surface layer and upper part of the subsoil, moderately rapid or rapid in the lower part of the subsoil, and rapid in the substratum. Available water capacity is moderate. The surface layer is very friable and easily tilled. Most areas of this soil are in woodland, and the soil is well suited to trees. A few areas are farmed, and some are used for homesites. This soil is well suited to row crops and to hay and pasture. Incorporating crop residue into the soil and adding animal manure to the surface layer increase the organic matter content in areas used for crops. The use of proper stocking rates, deferred grazing, and pasture rotation help to maintain the desirable pasture plant species. The rapid permeability in the substratum is the main limitation of the soil for community development. The permeability causes a hazard of ground-water pollution in areas used for septic tank absorption fields or sanitary landfills. Capability class: I. AgB-Agawam fine sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes. This soil is gently sloping, deep, and well drained. It is in areas that are irregular in shape. The areas range from 5 to 80 acres, but most are about 30 acres. Typically, the surface layer is black fine sandy loam about 1 inch thick. The subsoil is brown fine sandy loam 17 inches thick. The substratum extends to a depth of 60 inches or more. It is brown loamy fine sand to a depth of 28 inches, brown sand between depths of 28 and 41 inches, and brown gravelly sand at a depth of more than 41 inches. Included with this soil in mapping are a few places where the soil is silt loam or very fine sandy loam throughout. Most units have small areas of Merrimac and Windsor soils, and some have small areas of Ninigret soils in slight depressions. Included soils make up about 20 percent of the unit. The permeability of this Agawam soil is moderately rapid in the surface layer and upper part of the subsoil, moderately rapid to rapid in the lower part of the subsoil, and rapid in the substratum. Available water capacity is moderate. The surface layer is very friable and easily tilled. Most areas of this soil are in woodland, and the soil is well suited to trees. A few areas are farmed, and some are used for homesites. This soil is well suited to row crops and to hay and pasture. Minimum tillage and the use of cover crops and grasses and legumes in the cropping system help to control an erosion hazard, improve tilth, and increase the organic matter content of the soil. The main pasture management concern is the prevention of overgrazing, which reduces the density and hardiness of plants. Use of proper stocking rates and restricted grazing during wet periods help to maintain pastures and reduce surface compaction. The main limitation of this soil for community development is the rapid permeability in the substratum. The permeability causes a hazard of ground-water pollution in areas used for sanitary landfills or septic tank absorption fields. Slope is a limitation for some types of building sites. Capability subclass: IIe. Agawam Official Series Description |
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