LAND TYPES OF MASSACHUSETTS 15 



Discussion of Natural Land Types of Massachusetts 



First, consider the major groups of land types. Most counties of 

 Massachusetts will be found to have the largest acreage in the group (A, 

 table 7) composed of well-drained upland soils derived from glacial till, 

 and the land (B group) lying at intermediate levels comes second in 

 amount. The C and D groups are relatively small in all counties in the 

 State. In Barnstable County the acreage of alluvial soils is so small that 

 it ma\- well be combined with the C and D groups. In all counties the 

 last group (E in Essex County), or land of little, or no, agricultural value, 

 is relatively large, either because of tlie large amounts of rough stony 

 land and/or of poor grades of Hinckley or Plymouth soils. 



The breaking down of tlie major groups into categories significant in 

 land use is more difificult than the first division. Variations within the soil 

 series, even within the type, account for some of this dii^culty. Stony 

 types and phases are usually put in the agricultural group on the assump- 

 tion that they may be used for pasture. However, some portions of these 

 soils are too stony for good pasture, and a further breakdown into degrees 

 of stoniness would serve as a basis for tlirowiiig portions of the stony 

 soils into tlie non-, or low, agricultural group. The B group is somewhat 

 easier to differentiate into land types significant in land use because of 

 marked dififerences in Merrimac and Hinckley soils. There is more dif- 

 ficulty in subdividing the C and D groups. 



This classification does not permit a consecutive numbering of land 

 t^^pes with respect to their agricultural value — a type of classification or 

 rating often requested, and one that would have obvious advantages. A 

 land type or soil type is poor, good, better, or best, onh- with reference 

 to a particular use, characteristic, or condition. For example, that which 

 is naturally good for vegetable growing may be poor for dairy farming, 

 or for forestry or recreational purposes; and first-class land for dairy 

 farming is valueless for cranberry growing. This classification does, how- 

 ever, permit some comparative evaluation of land types within the groups, 

 and this has been pointed out where it is well defined. Upland soils free 

 of, or low in, stones are the best of that group for general farming and 

 dairying, and the nearh- level outwash soils of medium texture (Bl) are 

 the best for market gardening. 



Finally, it is to be pointed out and emphasized that this classification 

 is based on natural land characteristics. In its practical application it 

 must be used in connection with other factors afifecting land use, par- 

 ticularly economic and social factors. Unique advantages of location, for 

 example, may outweigh certain natural limitations. Land poorly adapted 

 to a given crop because of low fertility and poor water-holding capacity, 

 may be made productive by the use of large amounts of commercial ferti- 

 lizers and the use of irrigation water. All such factors must be taken 

 into consideration in determining the best use of a given piece of land. 



This classification and its interpretation have emphasized use of land 

 for agriculture or forestry; but in a state such as Massachusetts, urban, 

 industrial, and recreational uses assume great importance and cannot be 

 ignored. Much of the non-agricultural group and the poorer types of 

 the A and B groups are highly valuable for such uses. Some fine resi- 

 dential sections are located on rough stony land, and this type is ex- 

 cellent for certain kinds of recreation. Most of the gravel pits of the State 



