Soil Survey of Bristol County, Massachusetts
The following Map Unit Description is from the 1981 Soil Survey of Bristol County, Southern Part. Please note: map unit symbols are DIFFERENT for Bristol South and Bristol North reports, do NOT use these descriptions for Bristol North.
DeA-Deerfield loamy sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes. This soil is nearly level to gently sloping, deep, and moderately well drained. Most areas are near or adjacent to streams and rivers. The areas of this soil are irregularly shaped and range from 5 to 50 acres (fig. 4). Most are about 10 acres.
Typically, the surface layer is dark brown loamy sand about 7 inches thick. The subsoil is yellowish brown and 16 inches thick. The upper 8 inches of the subsoil is loamy sand, and the lower 8 inches. is mottled sand. The substratum is gray, mottled sand to a depth of 60 inches or more.
Included with this soil in mapping are a few places where the subsoil and substratum are gravelly. Also included are small areas of Wareham and Pipestone soils in slight depressions. Included areas make up about 20 percent of the unit.
The permeability of this Deerfield soil is rapid in the surface layer and subsoil and rapid or very rapid in the substratum. Available water capacity is low. The surface layer of this soil is very friable and easily tilled, but root growth is restricted by sand at a depth of about 15 inches. This soil has a seasonal high water table in the winter and spring.
Most areas of this soil are farmed. Some areas are in woodland, and the soil is suitable for trees. A few areas are used for homesites.
This soil is suited to row crops. The limited rooting zone, low available water capacity, and seasonal high water table are the main limitations for farming; erosion is a hazard on the gently sloping areas. The main management practices are using irrigation during dry periods, using cover crops, incorporating crop residue into the soil, and adding manure to the surface layer.
This soil is suited to pasture and hay. The main management concern is the prevention of overgrazing, which compacts the surface layer and reduces the hardiness and density of plants. Use of proper stocking rates and restricted grazing during wet periods help to maintain plant -densities and reduce surface compaction.
The seasonal high water table is the main limitation of this soil for community development, especially as a building site and as a site for septic tank absorption fields and sanitary landfills. The rapid permeability of the soil causes a hazard of pollution to ground water in areas used for septic tanks or landfills.
Capability subclass: IIIw.