The following is a map unit description from the "Soil Survey of Norfolk and Suffolk Counties, Massachusetts (Peragallo, 1989)"
PaD-Paxton fine sandy loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes. This is a very deep, moderately steep, well drained soil on the sides of upland hills. Areas of the soil are long and narrow or irregular in shape and range from 6 to 20 acres. Slopes are smooth and convex.
Typically, the surface layer is very dark brown fine sandy loam about 3 inches thick. The subsoil is about 24 inches thick. It is dark yellowish brown fine sandy loam in the upper part and brownish yellow gravelly fine sandy loam in the lower part. The substratum is extremely brittle, grayish brown gravelly sandy loam to a depth of 60 inches or more. In some areas the soil has a redder hue throughout.
Included with this soil in mapping are small areas of Charlton and Montauk soils in positions on the landscape similar to those of the Paxton soil. Also included are areas where stones 10 to 24 inches in diameter cover 1 to 15 percent of the surface. Included areas make up about 1 0 percent of this map unit.
Soil properties:Permeability: Moderate in the surface layer and the subsoil and slow or very slow in the substratum. Available water capacity: Moderate.
Soil reaction: Very strongly acid to moderately acid throughout.
Depth to bedrock: More than 60 inches.
Depth to the seasonal high water table: 1.5 to 2.5 feet.
Hydrologic group: C.
Most areas of this soil are woodland. Some areas are used as individual homesites.
This soil is poorly suited to cultivated crops because of moderately steep slopes. It is fairly suited to pasture. Erosion is a hazard, and preventing overgrazing is a management concern. Restricting grazing during wet periods helps to maintain plant densities, to reduce surface compaction, and to control erosion.
Potential productivity for northern red oak on this soil is moderate. Slope and the erosion hazard are the main management concerns. Plant competition is moderate if conifers are grown. Constructing access roads and trails with grades between 2 and 10 percent and installing water bars help to control erosion. Minimizing soil disturbance and retaining the sponge-like mulch of leaves help to reduce runoff and to control erosion. Thinning crowded stands to accepted standard stocking levels allows more vigorous growth. In thinning operations it is important to remove diseased, poorly formed, and otherwise undesirable trees. Shelterwood cutting, seed-tree cutting, and clearcutting can be used to establish natural regeneration or to provide suitable planting sites. Removing or controlling competing vegetation allows best growth of newly established seedlings.
Tile drains around building foundations help to lower the seasonal high water table. Extensive land shaping is needed in some areas because of slope.
Landscaping designed to drain surface water away from buildings also helps to prevent the structural 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 damage to the pavement by the seasonal high water table and potential frost action.
Slope and slow or very slow permeability are limitations to use of the soil as sites for septic tank absorption fields. Unless the absorption field has an expensive and elaborate design, the effluent will surface.
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