WgA-Whitman fine sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes. This soil is nearly level, deep, and very poorly drained. It is in depressions and in low-lying areas adjacent to drainageways. Areas of this soil are irregular in shape and range from 5 to 20 acres. Most are smaller than 10 acres.

Typically, the surface layer is very dark brown fine sandy loam about 8 inches thick. The substratum extends to a depth of 60 inches or more. It is gray fine sandy loam to a depth of 21 inches. At a depth of more than 21 inches, it is light olive gray, very firm, mottled fine sandy loam and silt loam.

Included with this soil in mapping are areas of soils that are very fine sandy loam, loamy sand, or loamy coarse sand throughout. Also included are small areas of Ridgebury and Scarboro soils that occupy similar positions on the landscape and a few areas where stones cover up to 3 percent of the surface. Included areas make up about 20 percent of the unit.

The permeability of this Whitman soil is moderate or moderately rapid in the surface layer and subsoil and slow or very slow in the substratum. Available water capacity is moderate. A seasonal high water table is at or near the surface in the fall, winter, and spring and after periods of heavy rainfall. The surface layer of this soil is very friable and is easily tilled under proper moisture conditions. Root growth is impeded by the seasonal high water table and the very firm substratum.

Most areas of this soil are covered with brush and trees. Some areas have been drained and are used for hay or pasture. A few areas have been drained and filled and are used for community development.

This soil is poorly suited to cultivated crops. The seasonal high water table is the main limitation. Surface drainage, diversions, tile drainage, or a combination of these practices helps to remove water from the soil. Minimum tillage and returning crop residue to the soil help to maintain tilth and organic matter content in cultivated areas.

The seasonal high water table makes the soil poorly suited to hay and pasture. Drainage and water-tolerant plants are needed. The main management concerns are the restriction of grazing when soil is wet and using proper stocking rates.

The seasonal high water table makes the soil poorly suited to trees. It causes a high rate of seedling mortality and restricts the rooting depth, making trees susceptible to uprooting during windy periods. Planting water-tolerant species helps to reduce the rate of seedling mortality, and establishing dense stands of trees reduces the hazard of uprooting. The wetness of the soil limits the use of timber harvesting equipment.

The seasonal high water table is the main limitation 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 is an additional limitation for septic tanks.

WhA-Whitman extremely stony fine sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes. This soil is nearly level, deep, and very poorly drained. It is in depressions and in low-lying areas adjacent to drainageways. Stones and boulders cover 3 to 15 percent of the surface. Areas of this soil are irregular in shape and range from 5 to 750 acres. Most are about 200 acres.

Typically, the upper layers of this soil consist of 1 inch of matted organic material over 5 inches of black muck. The next layer consists of gray fine sandy loam 15 inches thick. It is underlain by light olive gray, firm, mottled fine sandy loam and silt loam to a depth of 60 inches or more.

Included with this soil in mapping are areas of soils that are fine sandy loam, very fine sandy loam, loamy sand, or loamy coarse sand throughout. Also included are areas of Ridgebury and Scarboro soils that occupy similar positions on the landscape and areas where stones and boulders cover more than 15 percent of the surface. Included areas make up about 20 percent of the unit.

The permeability of this Whitman soil is moderate or moderately rapid in the surface layer and subsoil and slow or very slow in the substratum. Available water capacity is moderate. A seasonal high water table is at or near the surface in the fall, winter, and spring and after periods of heavy rainfall. The surface layer of this soil is very friable. Root growth is impeded by the seasonal high water table and the firm lower layers.

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

This soil is poorly suited to farming. The seasonal high water table is the main limitation. Stones and boulders on the surface limit the use of most types of equipment.

The seasonal high water table makes the soil poorly suited to trees. It causes a high rate of seedling mortality and restricts the rooting depth, making trees susceptible to uprooting during windy periods. Planting water-tolerant species helps to reduce the rate of seedling mortality, and establishing dense stands of trees reduces the hazard of uprooting. The wetness of the soil limits the use of timber harvesting equipment.

The seasonal high water table is the main limitation 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 is an additional limitation for septic tanks.

Capability subclass: VIIs.