Soil Survey of Bristol County, Massachusetts

SOUTHERN PART

PfA-Paxton fine sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes. This soil is nearly level, deep, and well drained. It is on the tops of ridges and hills. Areas of this soil are typically rectangular and range from 5 to 25 acres. Most are about 10 acres.

Typically, the surface layer is very dark grayish brown fine sandy loam about 8 inches thick. The subsoil is 14 inches thick. The upper 8 inches of the subsoil is yellowish brown fine sandy loam, and the lower 6 inches is olive yellow sandy loam. The substratum is pale olive, very firm and brittle gravelly sandy loam to a depth of 60 inches or more.

Included with this soil in mapping are small areas of Woodbridge soils, areas where the substratum is gravelly loamy sand or gravelly loamy coarse sand, and areas where the substratum is at a depth of more than 36 inches. Also included are small areas with slopes of 3 to 8 percent and a few places where the surface layer and upper part of the subsoil are very fine sandy loam. Included areas make up about 20 percent of the unit.

The permeability of this Paxton soil is moderate in the surface layer and subsoil and slow or very slow in the substratum. Available water capacity is moderate. The surface layer is very friable and easily tilled. After prolonged rains, a water table between the depths of 16 and 22 inches is perched above the substratum. Root growth is restricted to a depth of about 22 inches by the very firm substratum.

Most areas of this soil are used for hay, improved pasture, or cultivated crops. A few areas are in woodland, and the soil is well suited to trees. Some areas are used for homesites and other types of community development.

This soil is well suited to row crops. Mixing crop residue and manure into the surface layer helps to maintain the organic matter content and tilth of the soil.

The soil is well suited to hay and pasture (fig. 7). The main management concern is the prevention of overgrazing, which reduces the hardiness and density of desirable plants. Using proper stocking rates and restricted grazing during wet periods help to maintain plant densities and reduce surface compaction.

The seasonal perched water table is the main limitation of the soil for community development, especially as a building site and a site for sanitary landfills. The slow permeability in the substratum is a limitation for septic tank absorption fields.

Capability class: I.

PfB-Paxton fine sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes. This soil is gently sloping, deep, and well drained. It is on the tops and sides of ridges and hills. Areas of this soil are typically irregular in shape and range from 5 to 150 acres. Most are about 50 acres.

Typically, the surface layer is very dark grayish brown fine sandy loam about 8 inches thick. The subsoil is 14 inches thick. The upper 8 inches of the subsoil is yellowish brown fine sandy loam, and the lower 6 inches is olive yellow sandy loam. The substratum is pale olive, very firm and brittle gravelly sandy loam to a depth of 60 inches or more.

Included with this soil in mapping are small areas of Woodbridge soils and areas where the substratum is gravelly loamy sand or gravelly loamy coarse sand. In places the substratum is at a depth of more than 36 inches. Also included are areas with slopes of 0 to 3 percent. Included areas make up 20 percent of the unit.

The permeability of this Paxton soil is moderate in the surface layer and subsoil and slow or very slow in the substratum. Available water capacity is moderate. The surface layer is very friable and easily tilled. During and following rainy periods, a temporary water table is often between depths of 16 and 22 inches. Root growth is restricted to a depth of about 22 inches by the very firm substratum.

Most areas of this soil are used for hay, improved pasture, or cultivated crops (fig. 8). A few areas are in woodland, and the soil is well suited to trees. Some areas are used for homesites or other types of community development.

This soil is well suited to row crops, but erosion is a hazard. Management practices that help reduce runoff and control erosion include minimum tillage, using cover crops, and incorporating crop residue and manure into the surface layer.

The soil is well suited to hay and pasture. The main management concern is the prevention of overgrazing, which compacts the surface layer and reduces the hardiness and density of plants. Using proper stocking rates and restricted grazing when the soil is wet help to maintain plant densities and reduces surface compaction.

The seasonal perched water table is the main limitation of this soil for community development, especially as a building site or as a site for sanitary landfills. The slow permeability in the substratum of the soil is a limitation for septic tank absorption fields.

Capability subclass: IIe.

PfC-Paxton fine sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes. This soil is moderately sloping, deep, and well drained. It is on the sides of ridges and hills. Areas of this soil range from about 5 to 150 acres. Most are about 50 acres.

Typically, the surface layer is very dark grayish brown fine sandy loam about 8 inches thick (fig. 9). The subsoil is 14 inches thick. The upper 8 inches of the subsoil is yellowish brown fine sandy loam, and the lower 6 inches is olive yellow sandy loam. The substratum is pale olive, very firm and brittle gravelly sandy loam to a depth of 60 inches or more.

Included with this soil in mapping are small areas of Woodbridge soils, areas where the substratum is gravelly loamy sand or gravelly loamy coarse sand, and areas where the substratum is at a depth of less than 20 inches or at a depth of more than 36 inches. Wet seep spots are common in this unit, and in a few places the surface layer and upper part of the subsoil are very fine sandy loam. Included areas make up about 20 percent of the unit.

The permeability of this Paxton soil is moderate in the surface layer and subsoil and slow or very slow in the substratum. Available water capacity is moderate. The surface layer is very friable and easily tilled. After prolonged rains, a water table is perched between depths of 16 and 22 inches. Root growth is restricted to a depth of about 22 inches by the very firm substratum.

Most areas of this soil are used for hay or improved pasture. Some areas are used for cultivated crops. Some small areas are in woodland, and the soil is well suited to trees. A few areas are used for homesites or other types of community development.

This soil is suited to row crops, but erosion is a hazard. Management practices that help reduce runoff and control erosion include minimum tillage, using cover crops, and incorporating crop residue and manure into the surface layer.

The soil is well suited to hay and pasture. The main management concern is the prevention of overgrazing, which reduces the hardiness and density of plants. Using proper stocking rates and restricted grazing during wet periods help to maintain plant densities and reduce surface compaction.

Slope and the seasonal perched water table are the main limitations of this soil for community development, especially as a building site and as a site for sanitary landfills. The slow permeability in the substratum of the soil is a limitation for septic tank absorption fields.

Capability subclass: IIIe.

PgB-Paxton very stony fine sandy loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes. This soil is nearly level to gently sloping, deep, and well drained. It is on the tops and sides of ridges and hills. Stones and boulders cover from less than 1 percent to 3 percent of the surface. Areas of this soil are irregular in shape and range from about 5 to 300 acres. Most are about 200 acres.

Typically, the surface layer is very dark grayish brown fine sandy loam about 8 inches thick. The subsoil is 14 inches thick. The upper 8 inches of the subsoil is yellowish brown fine sandy loam, and the lower 6 inches is olive yellow sandy loam. The substratum is pale olive, very firm and brittle gravelly sandy loam to a depth of 60 inches or more.

Included with this soil in mapping are small areas of Woodbridge soils and areas where stones and boulders cover 3 to 15 percent of the surface. Also included are areas where the substratum is gravelly loamy sand or gravelly loamy coarse sand and areas where the substratum is at a depth of more than 36 inches. Wet seepage areas are common in this unit. Included areas make up about 20 percent of the unit.

The permeability of this Paxton soil is moderate in the surface layer and subsoil and slow or very slow in the substratum. Available water capacity is moderate. During and following rainy periods, a temporary water table is often between depths of 16 and 22 inches. Root growth is restricted to a depth of about 22 inches by the very firm substratum.

Most areas of this soil are in woodland, and the soil is well suited to trees. Some areas are used for pasture, and a few small areas are used for cultivated crops. A few areas are used for homesites or other types of community development.

The stones and boulders on the surface limit the use of equipment and make this soil poorly suited to row crops. The soil is suited to pasture, but the limitations to the use of equipment make the soil poorly suited to hay. Using proper stocking rates and restricted grazing during wet periods help to maintain pasture plant densities and reduce surface compaction.

The seasonal perched water table is the main limitation of this soil for community development, especially as a building site or as a site for sanitary landfills. The slow permeability in the substratum of the soil is a limitation for septic tank absorption fields.

Capability subclass: VIs.

PgC-Paxton very stony fine sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes. This soil is moderately sloping, deep, and well drained. It is on the sides of ridges and hills. Stones and boulders cover from less than 1 percent to about 3 percent of the surface. Areas of this soil are irregular in shape and range from about 5 to 300 acres. Most are about 150 acres.

Typically, the surface layer is very dark grayish brown fine sandy loam about 8 inches thick. The subsoil is 14 inches thick. The upper 8 inches of the subsoil is yellowish brown fine sandy loam, and the lower 6 inches is olive yellow sandy loam. The substratum is pale olive, very firm and brittle gravelly sandy loam to a depth of 60 inches or more.

Included with this soil in mapping are small areas of Woodbridge soils and small areas where stones and boulders cover 3 to 15 percent of the surface. Also included are areas where the substratum is gravelly loamy sand or gravelly loamy coarse sand and areas where the substratum is at a depth of more than 36 inches. Wet seepage areas are common in this unit. Included areas make up about 20 percent of the unit.

The permeability of this Paxton soil is moderate in the surface layer and subsoil and slow or very slow in the substratum. Available water capacity is moderate. During and following rainy periods, a temporary water table is often between depths of 16 and 22 inches. Root growth is restricted to a depth of about 22 inches by the very firm substratum.

Most areas of this soil are in woodland, and the soil is well suited to trees. Some areas are used for pasture and cultivated crops, and some are used for homesites or other types of community development.

The stones and boulders on the surface limit the use of equipment and, along with a hazard of erosion, make the soil poorly suited to row crops. The soil is suited to pasture, but the limitation to the use of equipment makes the soil poorly suited to hay. Using proper stocking rates and restricted grazing during wet periods help to maintain pasture plant densities and reduce surface compaction.

Slope and the seasonal perched water table are the main limitations of this soil for community development, especially as a building site or as a site for sanitary landfills. The slow permeability in the substratum of the soil is a limitation for septic tank absorption fields.

Capability subclass: VIs.

PgD-Paxton very stony fine sandy loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes. This soil is moderately steep, deep, and well drained. It is on the sides of ridges and hills. Stones and boulders cover from less than 1 percent to 3 percent of the surface. Areas of this soil are irregular in shape and range from about 5 to 50 acres. Most are about 15 acres.

Typically, the surface layer is very dark grayish brown fine sandy loam about 4 inches thick. The subsoil is 18 inches thick. The upper 12 inches of the subsoil is yellowish brown fine sandy loam, and the lower 6 inches is olive yellow sandy loam. The substratum is pale olive, very firm and brittle gravelly sandy loam to a depth of 60 inches or more.

Included with this soil in mapping are areas where the substratum is at a depth of less than 20 inches or at a depth of more than 36 inches. Also included are areas where the substratum is gravelly loamy sand or gravelly loamy coarse sand and areas where stones and boulders cover 3 to 15 percent of the surface. Included areas make up about 20 percent of the unit.

The permeability of this Paxton soil is moderate in the surface layer and subsoil and slow or very slow in the substratum. Available water capacity is moderate. After prolonged rains, a water table between depths of 16 and 22 inches is perched above the firm substratum. Root growth is restricted to a depth of about 22 inches by the very firm substratum.

Most areas of this soil are in woodland. A few areas are used for permanent pasture.

Slope, the stones and boulders on the surface, and an erosion hazard make this soil poorly suited to row crops. The soil is suited to pasture, but the slope and stones and boulders on the surface limit the use of equipment and make the soil poorly suited to hay.

This soil is suited to trees, but the slope limits the use of timber harvesting equipment.

Slope and the seasonal perched water table are the main limitations of the soil for community development, especially as a building site or as a site.for septic tank absorption fields or sanitary landfills. The slow permeability in the substratum, which causes a hazard of effluent seeping to the surface, is an additional limitation for septic tanks.

Capability subclass: VIs.

PhB-Paxton extremely stony fine sandy loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes. This soil is nearly level to gently sloping, deep, and well drained. It is on the tops and sides of ridges and hills. Stones and boulders cover 3 to 15 percent of the surface. Areas of this soil are irregular in shape and range from about 10 to 1,000 acres. Most are about 300 acres.

Typically, the surface layer is very dark grayish brown fine sandy loam about 2 inches thick. The subsoil is 20 inches thick. The upper 14 inches of the subsoil is yellowish brown fine sandy loam, and the lower 6 inches is olive yellow sandy loam. The substratum is pale olive, very firm and brittle gravelly sandy loam to a depth of 60 inches or more.

Included with this soil in mapping are areas where the substratum is gravelly loamy sand or gravelly loamy coarse sand and areas where the substratum is a depth of more than 36 inches. Also included are areas of Woodbridge soils and a few areas of exposed bedrock. Included areas make up about 25 percent of the unit.

The permeability of this Paxton soil is moderate in the surface layer and subsoil and slow or very slow in the substratum. Available water capacity is moderate. During and following rainy periods, a water table is often between depths of 16 and 22 inches. Root growth is restricted to a depth of about 22 inches by the very firm substratum.

Most areas of this soil are in woodland. A few areas are used for permanent pasture, and a few are used for homesites (fig. 10).

The stones and boulders on the surface limit the use of equipment and make the soil poorly suited to farming. The soil is suited to trees, but the stones and boulders limit the use of timber harvesting equipment.

The seasonal perched water table is the main limitation of this soil for community development, especially as a building site or as a site for sanitary landfills. The slow permeability in the substratum of the soil is a limitation for septic tank absorption fields.

PhC-Paxton extremely stony fine sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes. This soil is moderately sloping, deep, and well drained. It is on the sides of ridges and hills. Stones and boulders cover 3 to 15 percent of the surface. Areas of this soil are irregular in shape and range from about 10 to 500 acres. Most are about 150 acres.

Typically, the surface layer is very dark grayish brown fine sandy loam about 2 inches thick. The subsoil is 20 inches thick. The upper 14 inches of the subsoil is yellowish brown fine sandy loam, and the lower 6 inches is olive yellow sandy loam. The substratum is pale olive, very firm and brittle gravelly sandy loam to a depth of 60 inches or more.

Included with this soil in mapping are areas where the substratum is gravelly loamy sand or gravelly loamy coarse sand or the substratum is at a depth of more than 36 inches. Also included are areas of Woodbridge soils and a few areas of bedrock exposures. Wet seepage areas are common in this unit. Included areas make up about 25 percent of the unit.

The permeability of this Paxton soil is moderate in the surface layer and subsoil and slow or very slow in the substratum. Available water capacity is moderate. During and following rainy periods, a water table is often between depths of 16 and 22 inches. Root growth is restricted to a depth of about 22 inches by the very firm substratum.

Most areas of this soil are in woodland. A few small areas are used for permanent pasture. A few acres are used for homesites.

The stones and boulders on the surface limit the use of equipment and, along with an erosion hazard, make the soil poorly suited to farming. The soil is suitable for trees, but the stones and boulders also limit the use of timber harvesting equipment.

The seasonal perched water table and slope are the main limitations of this soil for community development, especially as a building site or as a site for sanitary landfills or septic tank absorption fields. The slow permeability in the substratum is an additional limitation for septic tanks.

Capability subclass: VIIs.

PhD-Paxton extremely stony fine sandy loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes. This soil is moderately steep, deep, and moderately well drained. It is on the sides of ridges and hills. Stones and boulders cover 3 to 15 percent of the surface. Areas of this soil are irregularly shaped and range from about 10 to 100 acres.

Typically, the surface layer is very dark grayish brown fine sandy loam about 2 inches thick. The subsoil is 20 inches thick. The upper 14 inches of the subsoil is yellowish brown fine sandy loam, and the lower 6 inches is olive yellow sandy loam. The substratum is pale olive, very firm and brittle gravelly sandy loam to a depth of 60 inches or more.

Included with this soil in mapping are areas where the substratum is gravelly loamy sand or gravelly loamy coarse sand. Also included are areas of Woodbridge soils and a few areas of exposed bedrock. Wet seepage areas are common in this unit. Included areas make up about 25 percent of the unit.

The permeability of this Paxton soil is moderate in the surface layer and subsoil and slow or very slow in the substratum. Available water capacity is moderate. During and following rainy periods, a water table is often between depths of 16 and 22 inches. Root growth is restricted to a depth of about 22 inches by the very firm substratum.

Most areas of this soil are in woodland. A few small areas are used for permanent pasture. A few acres are used for homesites.

Slope and the stones and boulders on the surface make this soil poorly suited to farming. The soil is suitable for trees, but the slope and stones and boulders also limit the use of timber harvesting equipment.

Slope and the seasonal perched water table are the main limitations of the soil for community development, especially as a building site or as a site for sanitary landfills or septic tank absorption fields. The slow permeability in the substratum also limits the soil for septic tanks.

Capability subclass: VIIs.

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