The following is a map unit description from the "Soil Survey of Norfolk and Suffolk Counties, Massachusetts (Peragallo, 1989)"
MoC-Montauk fine sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes. This is a very deep, strongly sloping, well drained soil on the sides of upland hills. Areas of this soil are oval or irregular in shape and range from 6 to 40 acres.
Typically, the surface layer is very dark grayish brown fine sandy loam about 4 inches thick. The subsoil is about 25 inches thick. It is dark yellowish brown fine sandy loam in the upper part and yellowish brown and light olive brown fine sandy loam and sandy loam in the lower part. The substratum is firm, olive loamy sand to a depth of 60 inches or more.
Included with this soil in mapping are small areas of Canton and Paxton soils in positions on the landscape similar to those of the Montauk soil. Also included are areas of Scituate soils along drainageways and on benches on the sides of hills. Also included are areas of soils where stones 10 to 24 inches in diameter cover 1 to 15 percent of the surface. Included areas make up about 15 percent of this map unit.
Soil properties:Permeability: Moderate or moderately rapid in the
surface layer and the subsoil and moderately slow or slow in the
substratum.
Available water capacity: Moderate.
Soil reaction: Extremely acid to moderately acid
throughout.
Depth to bedrock: More than 60 inches.
Depth to the seasonal high water table: 2 to 2.5 feet.
Hydrologic group: C
Most areas of this soil are woodland. Some areas are used as cropland and pastureland. Some areas are used as individual homesites.
This soil is suited to cultivated crops and pasture and to use as orchards. Farming on the contour or across the slope, stripcropping, diversions, cover crops, and crop rotations help to reduce runoff and to control erosion. In pasture management, preventing overgrazing protects the hardiness and density of desirable plants and helps to control erosion. The soil is generally on hills where air drainage is good and where fruit crops are protected from frost.
Potential productivity for northern red oak on this soil is moderately high. The erosion hazard is a management concern, especially in disturbed areas, such as skid trails, landings, and access roads. Constructing access roads and trails with grades between 2 and 1 0 percent and installing water bars will help to control erosion. Minimizing soil disturbance and retaining the sponge-like mulch of leaves help to absorb precipitation, to reduce runoff, and to control erosion. Plant competition at the time of regeneration is moderate if conifers are grown. 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.
The seasonal high water table in winter and spring is a limitation to use of the soil as sites for dwellings with basements and small commercial buildings. Tile drains around foundations help to lower the seasonal high water table. Land shaping is needed in some areas. Designing lots to drain surface water away from buildings also helps to protect the interior from damage by the seasonal high water table.
Slope, the seasonal high water table, and potential frost action are the main limitations for road construction. Constructing roads on the contour, if possible. and planting roadbanks to well adapted grasses help to control erosion. Constructing roads on well compacted, coarse textured base material and providing adequate side ditches and culverts help to prevent the damage to pavement by the seasonal high water table and potential frost action.
If the soil is used as sites for septic tank absorption fields, the slow permeability restricts the soil from readily absorbing the effluent. Installing a drain field that is larger than average helps to overcome this limitation. Some areas of this map unit have included soils that have suitable permeability.
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