The following is a map unit description from the "Soil Survey of Norfolk and Suffolk Counties, Massachusetts (Peragallo, 1989)"
CaB-Canton fine sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes. This is a very deep, gently sloping, well drained soil on the sides of hills and ridges and on uplands near outwash plains and terraces. Areas of the soil are irregular in shape and range from 6 to 150 acres.
Typically, the surface layer is black fine sandy loam about 1 inch thick. The subsurface layer is dark gray fine sandy loam about 1 inch thick. The subsoil is about 20 inches thick. It is yellowish brown fine sandy loam in the upper part and light yellowish brown fine sandy loam in the lower part. The substratum is gravelly loamy sand to a depth of 60 inches or more. It is light olive gray in the upper part and olive gray in the lower part. Some areas have more gravel in the subsoil, and some areas have less gravel in the substratum.
Included with this soil in mapping are small areas of Charlton, Merrimac, and Montauk soils in smooth areas of the landscape. Also included are Scituate soils in low areas and depressions. Also included are small areas where stones 10 to 24 inches in diameter cover 1 to 15 percent of the surface. Included areas make up about 20 percent of the map unit.
Soil properties:Permeability: Moderately rapid in the surface layer and
the subsoil and rapid in the substratum.
Available water capacity: Low or moderate.
Soil
reaction: Very strongly acid to moderately acid throughout.
Depth to bedrock: More than 60 inches.
Depth to the seasonal high water table: More than 6
feet.
Hydrologic group: B.
Most areas of this soil are woodland. Some areas are used as individual homesites. A few areas are farmed.
This soil is very well suited to cultivated crops and pasture and to use as orchards. If the soil is farmed, conservation tillage and cover crops help to control erosion.
Potential productivity for eastern white pine on this soil is high. The soil is easily managed for woodland. If conifers are grown, plant competition at regeneration is moderate. Thinning crowded stands to accepted standard stocking levels allows more vigorous growth. Shelterwood cutting, seed-tree cutting, and clearcutting help to establish natural regeneration or to provide suitable planting sites. Removing or controlling competing vegetation allows best growth of newly established seedlings. Pruning helps to improve the quality of white pine.
There are no major limitations to use of this soil for building site development and for local roads and streets. If the soil is used as sites for septic tank absorption fields, ground water pollution is a hazard. Because of rapid permeability, the soil readily absorbs but does not adequately filter the effluvent.
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