The following is a map unit description from the "Soil Survey of Norfolk and Suffolk Counties, Massachusetts (Peragallo, 1989)"
PbB-Paxton fine sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, extremely stony. This is a very deep, gently sloping, well drained soil on top of upland hills. The soil is in oval and in irregularly shaped areas that range from 6 to 100 acres. Slopes are smooth and slightly convex. Stones 10 to 24 inches in diameter cover 1 to 15 percent of the surface.
Typically, the surface layer is very dark brown fine sandy loam about 5 inches thick. The subsoil is about 24 inches thick. It is yellowish brown fine sandy loam in the upper part and brownish yellow gravelly fine sandy loam in the lower part. The substratum is extremely firm and 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 these soils in mapping are a few small areas of extremely stony Montauk soils and Charlton soils in positions on the landscape similar to those of the Paxton soil. Also included are a few small areas of extremely stony Woodbridge and Ridgebury soils in lower areas and in depressions. Also included are areas where stones cover less than 1 percent of the surface, Included areas make up about 15 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. A few areas are used as pastureland or orchards.
This soil is poorly suited to cultivated crops unless the stones are removed. The soil is fairly suited to pasture and to use as orchards, but stones on the surface limit the use of conventional farm equipment. The soil is 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 moderate. The soil is easily managed for woodland use. The high productivity of this soil justifies intensive management for either hardwoods or conifers. Plant competition at 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.
Constructing buildings with the lower or basement level above the seasonal high water table helps to prevent damage to the interior by the seasonal high water table, Large stones and boulders generally limit excavation of foundations and roads. 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, slow or very slow permeability restricts it from readily absorbing the effluent. Installing a drain field larger than average helps to overcome this limitation. If suitable outlets are available, curtain drains around the absorption field help to lower the seasonal high water table. Large stones in the soil generally limit installation of distribution lines.
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