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United StatesDepartment ofAgriculture
NaturalResourcesConservationService
In cooperation withThe Pennsylvania StateUniversity, College
ofAgricultural Sciences;the PennsylvaniaDepartment ofEnvironmental
Protection;and the PennsylvaniaDepartment of Agriculture
Soil Survey ofAdams County,Pennsylvania
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General Soil Map
The general soil map, which is the color map preceding the
detailed soil maps, shows the survey area dividedinto groups of
associated soils called general soil map units. This map is useful
in planning the use andmanagement of large areas.
To find information about your area of interest, locate that
area on the map,identify the name of the map unit in the area on
the color-coded maplegend, then refer to the section General Soil
Map Units for ageneral description of the soils in your area.
Detailed Soil Maps
The detailed soil maps follow thegeneral soil map. These mapscan
be useful in planning the useand management of small areas.
To find information about yourarea of interest, locate that
areaon the Index to Map Sheets,which precedes the soil maps.Note
the number of the mapsheet and turn to that sheet.
Locate your area of interest onthe map sheet. Note the map
unitsymbols that are in that area. Turnto the Contents, which lists
themap units by symbol and nameand shows the page where eachmap
unit is described.
The Contents shows which table has data on a specific land use
for each detailed soil map unit. Also see theContents for sections
of this publication that may address your specific needs.
3
How to Use This Soil Survey
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4
Additional information about the Nation’s natural resources is
available on theNatural Resources Conservation Service homepage on
the World Wide Web. Theaddress is http://www.nrcs.usda.gov.
This soil survey is a publication of the National Cooperative
Soil Survey, a joint effortof the United States Department of
Agriculture and other Federal agencies, Stateagencies including the
Agricultural Experiment Stations, and local agencies. The
NaturalResources Conservation Service (formerly the Soil
Conservation Service) hasleadership for the Federal part of the
National Cooperative Soil Survey.
Major fieldwork for this soil survey was completed in 1988. Soil
names anddescriptions were approved in 1991. Unless otherwise
indicated, statements in thispublication refer to conditions in the
survey area in 1988. This survey was madecooperatively by the
Natural Resources Conservation Service and The PennsylvaniaState
University, College of Agricultural Sciences; the Pennsylvania
Department ofEnvironmental Protection; and the Pennsylvania
Department of Agriculture. The surveyis part of the technical
assistance furnished to the Adams County Conservation District.
Soil maps in this survey may be copied without permission.
Enlargement of thesemaps, however, could cause misunderstanding of
the detail of mapping. If enlarged,maps do not show the small areas
of contrasting soils that could have been shown at alarger
scale.
The first soil survey for Adams County, Pennsylvania, was
published by the UnitedStates Department of Agriculture in 1904.
The next soil survey, also published by theUnited States Department
of Agriculture, was issued in 1967 (USDA, 1967). The presentsoil
survey updates the previous soil survey. It provides additional
information, such asupdated soil delineations on orthophotographs,
more detailed map unit descriptions, andinterpretive
information.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits
discrimination in all ofits programs on the basis of race, color,
national origin, gender, religion, age, disability,political
beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all
prohibited basesapply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities
who require alternative means forcommunication of program
information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) shouldcontact
the USDA’s TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice or TDD).
To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director,
Office of Civil Rights,Room 326W, Whitten Building, 14th and
Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC20250-9410, or call
202-720-5964 (voice or TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity
providerand employer.
Cover: Apple trees in blossom on Arendtsville gravelly loam, 8
to 15 percent slopes.
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov
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Cover
.......................................................................
1How to Use This Soil Survey ..................................
3Contents
..................................................................
5Foreword
.................................................................
9General Nature of the County ..................................
11
History and Development ....................................
11Agriculture and Industry ......................................
12Physiography
...................................................... 13Mineral
Resources .............................................. 14Climate
...............................................................
14
How This Survey Was Made ....................................
14Map Unit Composition
............................................. 15General Soil Map
Units ......................................... 17
Soil Descriptions
................................................. 171.
Penn-Klinesville-Croton ............................ 172.
Lehigh-Neshaminy ................................... 173.
Edgemont-Highfield-Catoctin .................... 194.
Highfield-Arendtsville-Rohrersville ............ 195.
Penn-Abbottstown-Readington.................. 206.
Conestoga-Clarksburg-Penlaw .................. 217. Glenelg-Mt.
Airy ....................................... 228.
Athol-Penlaw-Clarksburg .......................... 23
Detailed Soil Map Units ........................................
25Soil Descriptions
................................................. 26
AbA—Abbottstown silt loam, 0 to 3 percentslopes
.................................................... 26
AbB—Abbottstown silt loam, 3 to 8 percentslopes
.................................................... 27
ArB—Arendtsville gravelly loam, 3 to 8percent slopes
....................................... 28
ArC—Arendtsville gravelly loam, 8 to 15percent slopes
....................................... 28
ArD—Arendtsville gravelly loam, 15 to 25percent slopes
....................................... 29
ArE—Arendtsville gravelly loam, 25 to 40percent slopes
....................................... 30
AtA—Athol gravelly silt loam, 0 to 3 percentslopes
.................................................... 31
AtB—Athol gravelly silt loam, 3 to 8 percentslopes
.................................................... 31
AtC—Athol gravelly silt loam, 8 to 15percent slopes
....................................... 32
Ba—Baile silt loam .........................................
33Be—Bermudian silt loam ................................ 34
BgA—Birdsboro silt loam, 0 to 3 percentslopes
.................................................... 34
BgB—Birdsboro silt loam, 3 to 8 percentslopes
.................................................... 35
BgC—Birdsboro silt loam, 8 to 15 percentslopes
.................................................... 35
Bo—Bowmansville silt loam ...........................
36BrB—Brecknock channery silt loam, 3 to 8
percent slopes .......................................
37BrC—Brecknock channery silt loam, 8 to 15
percent slopes .......................................
37BrD—Brecknock channery silt loam, 15 to 25
percent slopes .......................................
38BuB—Buchanan channery loam, 3 to 8
percent slopes .......................................
39BvB—Buchanan channery loam, 0 to 8
percent slopes, extremely stony ............ 39CcB—Catoctin
channery silt loam, 3 to 8
percent slopes .......................................
40CcC—Catoctin channery silt loam, 8 to 15
percent slopes .......................................
41CcE—Catoctin channery silt loam, 25 to 35
percent slopes .......................................
41CkA—Clarksburg silt loam, 0 to 3 percent
slopes ....................................................
42CkB—Clarksburg silt loam, 3 to 8 percent
slopes ....................................................
43Cm—Codorus silt loam ...................................
43CnA—Conestoga silt loam, 0 to 3 percent
slopes ....................................................
44CnB—Conestoga silt loam, 3 to 8 percent
slopes ....................................................
45CnC—Conestoga silt loam, 8 to 15 percent
slopes ....................................................
45CrA—Croton silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes... 46CrB—Croton silt
loam, 3 to 8 percent
slopes ....................................................
47DAM—Dams ..................................................
48Dx—Dumps, refuse ........................................
48Dy—Dunning silty clay loam ...........................
48EdB—Edgemont channery loam, 3 to 8
percent slopes .......................................
49EdC—Edgemont channery loam, 8 to 15
percent slopes ....................................... 49
Contents
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EdD—Edgemont channery loam, 15 to 25percent slopes
.................................................... 50
EeB—Edgemont channery loam, 0 to 8percent slopes, very stony
.................................. 51
EeD—Edgemont channery loam, 8 to 25percent slopes, very stony
.................................. 51
EeF—Edgemont channery loam, 25 to 70percent slopes, very stony
.................................. 52
GbB—Glenelg channery silt loam, 3 to 8percent slopes
.................................................... 52
GbC—Glenelg channery silt loam, 8 to 15percent slopes
.................................................... 53
GbD—Glenelg channery silt loam, 15 to 25percent slopes
.................................................... 53
GdA—Glenville silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes ......
54GdB—Glenville silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes ......
55Hc—Hatboro silt loam
............................................. 56HgB—Highfield
channery silt loam, 3 to 8
percent slopes
....................................................
56HgC—Highfield channery silt loam, 8 to 15
percent slopes
....................................................
57HHD—Highfield and Catoctin channery silt
loams, 15 to 25 percent slopes ...........................
58HKB—Highfield, Catoctin, and Myersville
soils, 0 to 8 percent slopes, very stony ..............
59HKD—Highfield, Catoctin, and Myersville
soils, 8 to 25 percent slopes, very stony ............
60HMF—Highfield and Catoctin channery silt
loams, 25 to 70 percent slopes, very stony ........
61KnB—Klinesville channery silt loam, 3 to 8
percent slopes
....................................................
62KnC—Klinesville channery silt loam, 8 to 15
percent slopes
....................................................
63KnD—Klinesville channery silt loam, 15 to 25
percent slopes
....................................................
64KnE—Klinesville channery silt loam, 25 to 40
percent slopes
.................................................... 64Lc—Lamington
silt loam .......................................... 65LeB—Lansdale
loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes ............ 66LfC—Lansdale channery
loam, 8 to 15
percent slopes
.................................................... 66LgB—Legore
channery silt loam, 3 to 8
percent slopes
.................................................... 67LgC—Legore
channery silt loam, 8 to 15
percent slopes
.................................................... 68
LgD—Legore channery silt loam, 15 to 25percent slopes
.................................................... 69
LhA—Lehigh channery silt loam, 0 to 3percent slopes
.................................................... 69
LhB—Lehigh channery silt loam, 3 to 8percent slopes
.................................................... 70
LhC—Lehigh channery silt loam, 8 to 15percent slopes
.................................................... 71
LkB—Lehigh channery silt loam, 0 to 8percent slopes, very stony
.................................. 72
Lw—Lindside silt loam
............................................ 73MdA—Mount Lucas silt
loam, 0 to 3
percent slopes
.................................................... 73MdB—Mount
Lucas silt loam, 3 to 8
percent slopes
.................................................... 74MeB—Mount
Lucas silt loam, 0 to 8
percent slopes, very bouldery .............................
75MOB—Mt. Airy and Manor channery loams,
3 to 8 percent slopes ..........................................
75MOC—Mt. Airy and Manor channery loams,
8 to 15 percent slopes ........................................
76MOD—Mt. Airy and Manor channery loams,
15 to 25 percent slopes ......................................
77MtB—Mt. Zion gravelly silt loam, 3 to 8
percent slopes
.................................................... 79MtC—Mt. Zion
gravelly silty loam, 8 to 15
percent slopes
.................................................... 79MtD—Mt. Zion
gravelly silt loam, 15 to 25
percent slopes
....................................................
80MyB—Myersville silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes ....
81MyC—Myersville silt loam, 8 to 15 percent
slopes
.................................................................
81MyD—Myersville silt loam, 15 to 25 percent
slopes
.................................................................
82NaB—Neshaminy channery silt loam, 3 to 8
percent slopes
....................................................
83NaC—Neshaminy channery silt loam, 8 to 15
percent slopes
....................................................
83NdB—Neshaminy channery silt loam, 0 to 8
percent slopes, extremely bouldery ....................
84NdD—Neshaminy channery silt loam, 8 to 25
percent slopes, extremely bouldery ....................
85NdE—Neshaminy channery silt loam, 25 to 45
percent slopes, extremely bouldery ....................
85Pa—Penlaw silt loam
.............................................. 86
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PbD—Penn loam, 8 to 25 percent slopes,very
stony...........................................................
87
PcB—Penn silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes ............
88PcC—Penn silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes ..........
89PoB—Penn-Klinesville channery silt loams,
3 to 8 percent slopes ..........................................
89PoC—Penn-Klinesville channery silt loams,
8 to 15 percent slopes ........................................
90PsD—Pequea silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes ..... 92Pt—Pits,
quarries....................................................
93RaA—Raritan silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes .........
93RaB—Raritan silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes .........
94RcC—Ravenrock-Highfield-Rock outcrop
complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes .........................
95RcD—Ravenrock-Highfield-Rock outcrop
complex, 15 to 25 percent slopes .......................
95RcF—Ravenrock-Highfield-Rock outcrop
complex, 25 to 65 percent slopes .......................
96RdC—Ravenrock-Rohrersville complex, 3 to 15
percent slopes, extremely stony .........................
97ReA—Readington silt loam, 0 to 3 percent
slopes
.................................................................
98ReB—Readington silt loam, 3 to 8 percent
slopes
.................................................................
99RfA—Reaville channery silt loam, 0 to 3
percent slopes
.................................................... 99RfB—Reaville
channery silt loam, 3 to 8
percent slopes
.................................................. 100RfC—Reaville
channery silt loam, 8 to 15
percent slopes
..................................................
101RoB—Rohrersville silt loam, 3 to 8 percent
slopes
...............................................................
102RsB—Rohrersville silt loam, 0 to 15
percent slopes, very stony ................................
103Rw—Rowland silt loam..........................................
103StB—Steinsburg channery sandy loam, 3 to 8
percent slopes
..................................................
104StC—Steinsburg channery sandy loam, 8 to 15
percent slopes
..................................................
105StD—Steinsburg channery sandy loam, 15 to 25
percent slopes
.................................................. 105Uc—Urban land
..................................................... 106UeB—Urban
land-Conestoga complex, 0 to 8
percent slopes
.................................................. 106
UgB—Urban land-Penn complex, 0 to 8percent slopes
.................................................. 107
WaA—Watchung silt loam, 0 to 3 percentslopes
...............................................................
108
WaB—Watchung silt loam, 3 to 8 percentslopes
...............................................................
109
WbB—Watchung silt loam, 0 to 8 percentslopes, extremely bouldery
............................... 110
Use and Management of the Soils .....................
113Interpretive Ratings ...........................................
113
Rating Class Terms.......................................
113Numerical Ratings ........................................
113
Crops and Pasture ............................................
113Yields per Acre .............................................
115Land Capability Classification ....................... 115Prime
Farmland ............................................ 116
Agricultural Waste Management ........................ 117Forest
Productivity and Management ................ 119
Forest Productivity .......................................
119Forestland Management ............................... 119
Recreation
........................................................
121Wildlife Habitat
.................................................. 123Hydric Soils
......................................................
124Engineering
....................................................... 125
Building Site Development ............................
125Sanitary Facilities .........................................
126Construction Materials ..................................
128Water Management ....................................... 129
Soil Properties
.................................................... 131Engineering
Index Properties ............................ 131Physical
Properties .......................................... 132Chemical
Properties ......................................... 133Soil
Features ....................................................
134Water Features .................................................
135
Classification of the Soils ...................................
137Soil Series and Their Morphology ..........................
137
Abbottstown Series ...........................................
137Arendtsville Series ............................................
138Athol Series
...................................................... 139Baile
Series ......................................................
140Bermudian Series .............................................
141Birdsboro Series ...............................................
141Bowmansville Series ........................................
142Brecknock Series .............................................
143
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Buchanan Series ..............................................
143Catoctin Series
................................................. 145Clarksburg
Series ............................................. 145Codorus
Series .................................................
146Conestoga Series .............................................
147Croton Series
.................................................... 148Dunning
Series .................................................
148Edgemont Series ..............................................
149Glenelg Series
.................................................. 150Glenville
Series ................................................ 151Hatboro
Series ..................................................
152Highfield Series
................................................ 153Klinesville
Series .............................................. 153Lamington
Series .............................................. 154Lansdale
Series ................................................ 155Legore
Series ...................................................
156Lehigh Series
.................................................... 157Lindside
Series ................................................. 157Manor
Series ....................................................
159Mount Lucas Series ..........................................
159Mt. Airy Series
.................................................. 160Mt. Zion
Series .................................................
161Myersville Series ..............................................
162Neshaminy Series ............................................
162Penlaw Series
................................................... 163Penn Series
...................................................... 164Pequea
Series ..................................................
165Raritan Series
................................................... 165Ravenrock
Series ............................................. 167Readington
Series ............................................ 167Reaville
Series..................................................
168Rohrersville Series ............................................
169Rowland Series .................................................
170Steinsburg Series .............................................
171Watchung Series ...............................................
171
References
...........................................................
173Glossary
..............................................................
175Tables
..................................................................
187
Table 1.—Temperature and Precipitation ........... 188Table
2.—Freeze Dates in Spring and Fall ......... 189Table 3.—Growing
Season ................................ 189Table 4.—Acreage and
Proportionate Extent
of the Soils .................................................
190Table 5.—Land Capability and Yields per
Acre of Crops and Pasture ......................... 192Table
6.—Acreage by Capability Class and Subclass
...................................................... 199Table
7.—Prime Farmland ................................. 200Table
8a.—Agricultural Waste Management ...... 201Table 8b.—Agricultural
Waste Management ....... 226Table 9.—Forest Productivity
............................ 250Table 10a.—Forestland Management
................ 265Table 10b.—Forestland Management
................ 277Table 10c.—Forestland Management
................ 289Table 10d.—Forestland Management
................ 300Table 10e.—Forestland Management
................ 308Table 11a.—Recreational Development
............. 319Table 11b.—Recreational Development .............
337Table 12.—Wildlife Habitat ................................
352Table 13.—Map Units with Hydric
Components ...............................................
361Table 14.—Map Units with Hydric Inclusions ..... 363Table
15a.—Building Site Development ............. 369Table 15b.—Building
Site Development ............. 382Table 16a.—Sanitary Facilities
.......................... 399Table 16b.—Sanitary Facilities
.......................... 416Table 17a.—Construction Materials
................... 431Table 17b.—Construction Materials
................... 443Table 18.—Water Management
......................... 460Table 19.—Engineering Index Properties
.......... 473Table 20.—Physical Properties of the Soils ......
549Table 21.—Chemical Properties of the Soils ..... 570Table
22.—Soil Features ................................... 586Table
23.—Water Features ................................ 594Table
24.—Classification of the Soils ................ 605
Issued 2005
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This soil survey presents information that affects land use
planning in this surveyarea. It makes predictions of soil behavior
for selected land uses. The survey alsohighlights soil limitations,
improvements needed to overcome the limitations, and theimpact of
selected land uses on the environment.
This soil survey is designed for many different users. Farmers,
foresters, andagronomists can use it to evaluate the potential of
the soil and the management neededfor maximum food and fiber
production. Planners, community officials, engineers,developers,
builders, and home buyers can use the survey to plan land use,
select sitesfor construction, and identify special practices needed
to ensure proper performance.Conservationists, teachers, students,
and specialists in recreation, wildlifemanagement, waste disposal,
and pollution control can use the survey to help themunderstand,
protect, and enhance the environment.
Various land use regulations of Federal, State, and local
governments may imposespecial restrictions on land use or land
treatment. The information in this report isintended to identify
soil properties that are used in making various land use or
landtreatment decisions. Statements made in this report are
intended to help the land usersidentify and reduce the effects of
soil limitations on various land uses. The landowner oruser is
responsible for identifying and complying with existing laws and
regulations.
Great differences in soil properties can occur within short
distances. Some soils areseasonally wet or subject to flooding.
Some are shallow to bedrock. Some are toounstable to be used as a
foundation for buildings or roads. Clayey or wet soils are
poorlysuited to use as septic tank absorption fields. A high water
table makes a soil poorlysuited to basements or underground
installations.
These and many other soil properties that affect land use are
described in this soilsurvey. Broad areas of soils are shown on the
general soil map. The location of each soilis shown on the detailed
soil maps. Each soil in the survey area is described.Information on
specific uses is given for each soil. Help in using this
publication andadditional information are available at the local
office of the Natural ResourcesConservation Service or the
Cooperative Extension Service.
Robin HeardState ConservationistNatural Resources Conservation
Service
Foreword
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Soil Survey of
Adams County, Pennsylvania
ADAMS COUNTY is located in the south-central part ofPennsylvania
(fig. 1). The county has an area of333,894 acres, or about 522
square miles. AdamsCounty is bordered on the east by York County,
on thenorth by Cumberland County, and on the west byFranklin
County. The southern boundary is the Mason-Dixon line, separating
Adams County from Carroll andFrederick Counties, Maryland.
Adams County lies mostly in the Piedmont provinceof
Pennsylvania. Most of the county is dominantlyundulating to
rolling, and is dissected by manydrainageways and streams. Some of
the county isnearly level. Hills are scattered throughout much of
thePiedmont area. South Mountain, in the western andnorthern parts
of the county, is in the Blue Ridgeprovince, which has hills,
ridges, and narrow valleys.Of the county’s two main watersheds, the
northern halfdrains into the Susquehanna River largely by way ofthe
Conewago Creek and its many tributaries. Most ofthe southern half
drains into the Potomac River throughToms, Middle, Marsh, Rock, and
Alloway Creeks andtheir tributaries.
More than 100 different kinds of soil are in AdamsCounty. These
soils range widely in texture, naturaldrainage, depth, slope, and
other characteristics. Thesoils in the South Mountain area are
dominantly deep,well drained, and commonly very stony. In this
areaslope and stones are major limitations to use of thesoils. In
the rest of the county the soils have morevariable characteristics,
including wetness, depth tobedrock, and slope, which are major
limitations to theiruse.
The land area is divided as follows: cropland, about
By Robert V. Smith, Natural Resources Conservation Service
Fieldwork by Robert V. Smith, Natural Resources Conservation
Service
United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources
Conservation Service,in cooperation withThe Pennsylvania State
University, College of Agricultural Sciences;Pennsylvania
Department of Environmental Protection;and Pennsylvania Department
of Agriculture
45 percent; woodland, 30 percent; pasture, 10 percent;and urban,
industrial, commercial, and other land, 15percent.
General Nature of the CountyThis section provides general
information about
history and development; agriculture and industry;physiography;
mineral resources; and climate ofAdams County.
History and Development
In 1681, William Penn received the royal charter ofthe “Penn’s
Woods” province from the Duke of York,who later became King Charles
II of England. The firstdivisions of the province were
Philadelphia, Bucks, andChester Counties. In 1727, Lancaster County
wasformed from Chester County, and in 1736 LancasterCounty was
extended to include a wide area west ofthe Susquehanna River. In
1749, the area west of theriver was separated from Lancaster County
and wasnamed for the Duke of York. The Calverts of Marylandclaimed
the southern part of York County until theMason-Dixon line was
first surveyed, between 1763and 1767. On January 22, 1800, Adams
County,separated from York County and named for PresidentJohn
Adams, was organized as the 27th county inPennsylvania.
The early settlers of the area now called AdamsCounty came to
America seeking religious liberty.Among those in the settlement
were GermanMennonites, Moravians, Dunkards, Scotch-Irish family
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12 Soil Survey
Presbyterians, English, Irish Quakers, and Catholicmembers of
the Church of England. Farms and townswere built in the rapidly
cleared wilderness. Roadsreached into all parts of the county.
In 1786, Gettysburg was laid out and named for theof General
James Gettys. It is the county seat and thelargest borough in Adams
County.
Gettysburg had a population of 1,473 in 1830, 2,200in 1860, and
7,194 in 1980. For 3 days in 1863,Gettysburg was the site of one of
the decisive battlesof the Civil War. In 1895 Congress created
GettysburgNational Military Park, encompassing 3,865
acressurrounding the borough (fig. 2). The 690-acre farm
thatPresident Dwight D. Eisenhower owned southwest ofGettysburg is
now the Eisenhower National HistoricalPark.
The population of Adams County was 13,172 in1800 and 68,292 in
1980 (Commonwealth ofPennsylvania, 1987). It is about 19 percent
urban and81 percent rural. Every year, however, farmland is lostto
urbanization as homes, factories, and commercialdevelopments trend
into many parts of thecounty.
Agriculture and Industry
After the settlement of Adams County, subsistencefarming
prevailed. Transportation of necessities fromthe East was slow,
expensive, and irregular, but theforests provided fuel, lumber,
tannin, and charcoal.Natural deposits of limestone, clay, sand,
iron, andstone were raw materials. The soils and climate
weresuitable for growing corn, wheat, rye, buckwheat, andgrass.
Livestock provided food, leather, and wool. Thelarger streams
powered grist mills and sawmills andeased transportation.
The county from its earliest settlement was
primarilyagricultural. Fields were cultivated continuously in
one
crop without the use of manure or fertilizer. Asproductivity
decreased the fields were abandoned. Newfields were cleared and
cultivated. By 1750, farmersrecognized the importance of lime, and
most farmshad kilns for burning limestone. The commercial
limeindustry began about 1840. Crop rotation began aboutthe same
time, along with extensive use of fertilizerand lime. In the late
1800’s, agriculture becamespecialized, particularly in the growing
of fruit. Thefirst large commercial orchard, with some 2,000apple
trees, was planted near Cashtown in 1878.The first carlot of apples
shipped from this orchard in1893.
Agriculture has remained an important part of theeconomy of the
county. According to the 1982 Censusof Agriculture (U.S. Department
of Commerce, 1984)about 1,199 farms occupied nearly 60 percent of
thecounty. The average size was about 164 acres.Orchards took in
21,435 acres. The principalagricultural crops were corn, hay,
wheat, soybeans,oats, and barley. The main fruit crops were
apples,peaches, cherries, and grapes.
In 1987, Adams County was the leading producer inPennsylvania of
apples and was second in peaches,eggs, and chickens, excluding
broilers (PennsylvaniaDepartment of Agriculture, 1988). It was
fifth inPennsylvania in agricultural receipts and sixth in
wheatproduction. The Hanover Shoe Farms, founded in 1926,was the
world’s largest breeder of standard breedhorses.
Early industries included grist mills, sawmills,woolen mills,
tanneries, shoe making, ceramics,bricks, and iron works. The iron
industry began in theearly 1800’s, flourished until the Civil War,
andcontinued on a less important scale until abandonmentin the
early 1870’s. During this period nearly all treeswere cut in the
vast woodlands that covered the SouthMountain area (Stose, 1932).
The trees were usedprimarily to make charcoal for the iron
industry. Sincethat time trees in the area have reached
marketablesize. Commercial forestland takes in about 104,000acres.
Limestone was quarried largely for agriculturaluse and as flux for
the iron works. The limestoneindustry is still very active.
Following development ofthe county as an important fruit growing
area, the fruitprocessing industry became the leading single
industryin the county.
Today, manufacturing is the largest industry in thecounty. In
1982, 108 manufacturing companies hadtotal sales of more than $535
million (Commonwealthof Pennsylvania, 1987). Prominent among them
areproducers of processed foods. Other importantindustries are book
printing and publishing, elevatorsand moving stairways, ceramic
wall and floor tile,
Figure 1.—Location of Adams County in Pennsylvania.
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Adams County, Pennsylvania 13
poultry and poultry products, footwear, fiber boxes,wood kitchen
cabinets, and petroleum products.
Physiography
Adams County lies in two physiographic provinces,the Piedmont
province, and the Southern section of theBlue Ridge province
(Patrick and others, 1924). ThePiedmont province is divided into
the PiedmontUplands section, Conestoga Valley section, andTriassic
Lowland section.
The Piedmont Upland section, which takes in about3 percent of
the county, is in the southeastern cornerof the county and in the
Pigeon Hills south ofAbbottstown. It consists of rolling to hilly
uplands withbroad ridgetops at an elevation of 700 to 800 feet. It
isdrained dominantly by the South Branch ConewagoCreek and its
tributaries. Schist and phyllite bedrockunderlie most of this
section. The Glenelg-Mt. Airygeneral soil map unit is in this
section. The Pigeon Hillscrest at about 900 feet, and the highest
peak is 1,021feet. Metabasalt, quartzite, and phyllite
bedrockunderlie the Pigeon Hills. The Edgemont-Highfield-Catoctin
general soil map unit is in the Pigeon Hills.
The Conestoga Valley section of the Piedmontprovince, which
takes in about 4 percent of the county,is in the southeastern part
of the county, north of thePiedmont Upland section. It extends from
Hanover andMidway at the York and Adams County line westwardto
Littletown. This section has undulating, low uplandsat an elevation
of 500 to 600 feet. The South Branch
Conewago Creek is the major stream. Limestonebedrock dominantly
underlies this section. TheConestoga-Clarksburg-Penlaw general soil
map unit isin this section.
The Triassic Lowland section of the Piedmontprovince, which
takes in about 67 percent of thecounty, occupies all the county
south and east ofSouth Mountain and west and north of the
ConestogaValley section. This section consists of undulating
androlling lowlands and many higher hills and ridges. Theelevation
is dominantly 500 to 600 feet, but ridges andhills crest at 700 to
1,000 feet. The area is drained bythe Conewago, South Branch
Conewago, Rock, Plum,Bermudian, and Marsh Creeks and their
tributaries. Thelow uplands are underlain dominantly by red
shale,sandstone, and conglomerate bedrock. The
Penn-Klinesville-Croton and Penn-Abbottstown-Readingtongeneral soil
map units are in this section. The hills andridges are underlain
dominantly by diabase,metamorphosed shale and sandstone,
andconglomerate bedrock. The Lehigh-Neshaminy and
theHighfield-Arendtsville-Rohrersville general soil mapunits are in
this section.
The South Mountain section of the Blue Ridgeprovince takes in
about 26 percent of the county. Ahighly dissected area that is 1 to
7 miles wideextending along the western and northern boundariesof
the county, it is on hilly uplands. The ridges and hillscrest at an
elevation of 1,200 to 2,000 feet. Among themany streams that drain
the area are Middle, Toms,Bermudian, Latimore, Birch, Carbaugh, and
Antietam
Figure 2.—Gettysburg National Military Park. Little Round Top is
on the far left and Round Top is on the right.
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14 Soil Survey
Creeks. The South Mountain section is underlain byquartzite,
metabasalt, and metarhyolite bedrock.
TheEdgemont-Highfield-Catoctin and
Highfield-Arendtsville-Rohrersville general soil map units are in
this section.
Mineral Resources
Mineral resources have greatly influenced thedevelopment of
Adams County. The dominant materialsare limestone, slate, iron,
clay, sand, and stone.Currently, quarrying of limestone,
metabasalt(greenstone), and shale is the major industry.
Limestone was first used for building purposes,burned for lime,
and used as flux for the local ironfurnaces. Small, abandoned
quarries dug for limeburning and building stone are scattered
throughout thelimestone areas. Large quarries were opened
betweenHanover and New Oxford, between Orrtanna andFairfield,
between Yellow Ridge and Wolf Hill, and atYork Springs (Stose,
1932). At this time, quarrying isdominantly at Bittinger and near
Fairfield. Most of thelimestone is used as flux for the iron
industry or it iscrushed, screened, and sized for road
building.
The few slate quarries are all now abandoned. Slatequarried on
the south slope of Piney Mountain nearWenksville was used to line
the furnace at Pine Grove.Some slate was also quarried near
Virginia Mills,Mount Hope, and Bridgeport.
Iron mining to supply the local iron industry duringthe early
1800’s was abandoned in 1870. For a shorttime copper was mined near
Hunterstown and StoneJug.
Clay and clay shale used in making bricks and tileare extracted
southeast of New Oxford. White paperclay was mined near South
Mountain for use as filler inpaper and paint.
Greenstone, often called “ironstone” or “Gettysburggranite,”
metarhyolite, and metabasalt, are quarriednear Gladhill. There it
is crushed and used as roofinggranules and as filler in composition
stone and flooring.
Climate
The National Climatic Center, Asheville, North Carolina,
helpedto prepare this section.
Adams County is rather cold in the winter and hot insummer.
Winter precipitation frequently occurs on mostsoils, results in a
good accumulation of soil moistureby spring, and minimizes drought
in summer. Normalannual precipitation is adequate for all crops
that areadapted to the temperature and length of growingseason in
the area.
Table 1 gives data on temperature and precipitationfor the
survey area as recorded at Harrisburg,
Pennsylvania, in the period 1951-88. Table 2 showsprobable dates
of the first freeze in fall and the lastfreeze in spring. Table 3
provides data on length of thegrowing season.
In winter, the average temperature is 23 degrees.The lowest
temperature on record, which occurred atHarrisburg, Pennsylvania,
on January 17, 1985, is -11degrees. In summer, the average
temperature is 73degrees, and the average daily maximum
temperatureis 84 degrees. The highest recorded temperature,
whichoccurred at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, on July 4, 1966,is 102
degrees.
Growing degree days are shown in table 1. They areequivalent to
“heat units.” During the month, growingdegree days accumulate by
the amount that theaverage temperature each day exceeds a
basetemperature (40 degrees F). The normal monthlyaccumulation is
used to schedule single or successiveplantings of a crop between
the last freeze in springand the first freeze in fall.
Of the total annual precipitation, about 22 inches, or50
percent, usually falls in April through September.The growing
season for most crops falls within thisperiod. In 2 years out of
10, the rainfall in April throughSeptember is less than 18 inches.
The heaviest 1-dayrainfall during the period of record was 5.75
inches atGettysburg on June 22, 1972. Thunderstorms occur onabout
32 days each year, and most occur in summer.
The average seasonal snowfall is 28 inches. Thegreatest snow
depth at any one time during the periodof record was 23 inches. On
the average, 14 days ofthe year have at least 1 inch of snow on the
ground.The number of such days varies greatly from year toyear.
The average relative humidity in midafternoon isabout 50
percent. Humidity is higher at night and theaverage at dawn is
about 70 percent. The sun shines60 percent of the time possible in
summer and 50percent in winter. The prevailing wind is from the
west-northwest. The average highest wind speed is 10 milesper hour,
in summer.
How This Survey Was Made
This survey was made to provide information aboutthe soils and
miscellaneous areas in the survey area.The information includes a
description of the soils andmiscellaneous areas and their location
and adiscussion of their suitability, limitations, andmanagement
for specified uses. Soil scientistsobserved the steepness, length,
and shape of theslopes; the general pattern of drainage; the kinds
ofcrops and native plants; and the kinds of bedrock. Theydug many
holes to study the soil profile, which is the
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Adams County, Pennsylvania 15
sequence of natural layers, or horizons, in a soil. Theprofile
extends from the surface down into theunconsolidated material in
which the soil formed. Theunconsolidated material is devoid of
roots and otherliving organisms and has not been changed by
otherbiological activity.
The soils and miscellaneous areas in the surveyarea are in an
orderly pattern that is related to thegeology, landforms, relief,
climate, and naturalvegetation of the area. Each kind of soil
andmiscellaneous area is associated with a particular kindof
landform or with a segment of the landform. Byobserving the soils
and miscellaneous areas in thesurvey area and relating their
position to specificsegments of the landform, a soil scientist
develops aconcept or model of how they were formed. Thus,during
mapping, this model enables the soil scientist topredict with a
considerable degree of accuracy the kindof soil or miscellaneous
area at a specific location onthe landscape.
Commonly, individual soils on the landscape mergeinto one
another as their characteristics graduallychange. To construct an
accurate soil map, however,soil scientists must determine the
boundaries betweenthe soils. They can observe only a limited number
ofsoil profiles. Nevertheless, these observations,supplemented by
an understanding of the soil-vegetation-landscape relationship, are
sufficient toverify predictions of the kinds of soil in an area and
todetermine the boundaries.
Soil scientists recorded the characteristics of thesoil profiles
that they studied. They noted soil color,texture, size and shape of
soil aggregates, kind andamount of rock fragments, distribution of
plant roots,reaction, and other features that enable them
toidentify soils. After describing the soils in the surveyarea and
determining their properties, the soilscientists assigned the soils
to taxonomic classes(units). Taxonomic classes are concepts.
Eachtaxonomic class has a set of soil characteristics withprecisely
defined limits. The classes are used as abasis for comparison to
classify soils systematically.Soil taxonomy, the system of
taxonomic classificationused in the United States, is based mainly
on the kindand character of soil properties and the arrangement
ofhorizons within the profile. After the soil scientistsclassified
and named the soils in the survey area, theycompared the individual
soils with similar soils in thesame taxonomic class in other areas
so that theycould confirm data and assemble additional data basedon
experience and research.
While a soil survey is in progress, samples of someof the soils
in the area generally are collected forlaboratory analyses and for
engineering tests. Soil
scientists interpret the data from these analyses andtests as
well as the field-observed characteristics andthe soil properties
to determine the expected behaviorof the soils under different
uses. Interpretations for allof the soils are field tested through
observation of thesoils in different uses and under different
levels ofmanagement. Some interpretations are modified to fitlocal
conditions, and some new interpretations aredeveloped to meet local
needs. Data are assembledfrom other sources, such as research
information,production records, and field experience of
specialists.For example, data on crop yields under defined levelsof
management are assembled from farm records andfrom field or plot
experiments on the same kinds ofsoil.
Predictions about soil behavior are based not onlyon soil
properties but also on such variables as climateand biological
activity. Soil conditions are predictableover long periods of time,
but they are not predictablefrom year to year. For example, soil
scientists canpredict with a fairly high degree of accuracy that
agiven soil will have a high water table within certaindepths in
most years, but they cannot predict that ahigh water table will
always be at a specific level in thesoil on a specific date.
After soil scientists located and identified thesignificant
natural bodies of soil in the survey area,they drew the boundaries
of these bodies on aerialphotographs and identified each as a
specific map unit.Aerial photographs show trees, buildings, fields,
roads,and rivers, all of which help in locating
boundariesaccurately.
Map Unit Composition
A map unit delineation on a soil map represents anarea dominated
by one major kind of soil or an areadominated by several kinds of
soil. A map unit isidentified and named according to the
taxonomicclassification of the dominant soil or soils. Within
ataxonomic class there are precisely defined limits forthe
properties of the soils. On the landscape, however,the soils are
natural objects. In common with othernatural objects, they have a
characteristic variability intheir properties. Thus, the range of
some observedproperties may extend beyond the limits defined for
ataxonomic class. Areas of soils of a single taxonomicclass rarely,
if ever, can be mapped without includingareas of soil of other
taxonomic classes.Consequently, every map unit is made up of the
soil orsoils for which it is named and some soils that belongto
other taxonomic classes. These latter soils arecalled inclusions or
included soils.
Most inclusions have properties and behavioral
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16 Soil Survey
patterns similar to those of the dominant soil or soils inthe
map unit, and thus they do not affect use andmanagement. These are
called non-contrasting (similar)inclusions. They may or may not be
mentioned in themap unit descriptions. Other inclusions, however,
haveproperties and behavior divergent enough to affect useor
require different management. These are contrasting(dissimilar)
inclusions. They generally occupy smallareas and cannot be shown
separately on the soilmaps because of the scale used in mapping.
Theinclusions of contrasting soils are named andmentioned in the
map unit descriptions. A fewinclusions may not have been observed
andconsequently are not mentioned in the map unit
descriptions, especially where the soil pattern was socomplex
that it was impractical to make enoughobservations to identify all
of the kinds of soil on thelandscape.
The presence of inclusions in a map unit in no waydiminishes the
usefulness or accuracy of the soil data.The objective of soil
mapping is not to delineate puretaxonomic classes of soils but
rather to separate thelandscape into segments that have similar use
andmanagement requirements. The delineation of suchlandscape
segments on the map provides sufficientinformation for the
development of resource plans, butonsite investigation is needed to
plan for intensiveuses in small areas.
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17
General Soil Map Units
The general soil map in this publication shows thesoil
associations in this survey area. Each associationhas a distinctive
pattern of soils, relief, and drainage.Each map unit on the general
soil map is a uniquenatural landscape. Typically, an association
consists ofone or more major soils or miscellaneous areas andsome
minor soils or miscellaneous areas. It is namedfor the major soils
or miscellaneous areas. Thecomponents of one unit can occur in
another but in adifferent pattern.
The general soil map can be used to compare thesuitability of
large areas for general land uses. Areas ofsuitable soils can be
identified on the map. Likewise,areas where the soils are not
suitable can be identified.
Because of its small scale, the map is not suitablefor planning
the management of a farm or field or forselecting a site for a road
or building or other structure.The soils in any one map unit differ
from place to placein slope, depth, drainage, and other
characteristics thataffect management.
Soil Descriptions
1. Penn-Klinesville-Croton
Nearly level to very steep, shallow to deep, welldrained,
somewhat excessively drained and poorlydrained soils that formed in
residuum derived from redshale, siltstone, and fine-grained
sandstone; on short,steep ridges, hills, and nearly level
lowlands
These soils are on highly dissected uplands andassociated
drainageways. The landscape is dominantlyundulating to rolling and
has some short, steep ridges;hills; and nearly level to gently
rolling lowlands (fig. 3).
This map unit makes up about 26 percent of thecounty. It is
about 35 percent Penn soils, 25 percentKlinesville soils, 20
percent Croton soils, and 20percent minor soils.
Penn soils are gently sloping and strongly sloping.They are on
broad to narrow ridgetops and on the sidesof ridges. They are
underlain by red shale, siltstone,and fine-grained sandstone at a
depth of 20 to 40inches. They are moderately deep and well
drained.
Klinesville soils are gently sloping to very steep.They are on
ridges and hills. They are underlain by red
shale, siltstone, and fine-grained sandstone at a depthof 10 to
20 inches. They are shallow and somewhatexcessively drained.
Croton soils are nearly level and gently sloping.They are in
depressions on lowlands and indrainageways. These soils are
underlain by dominantlyred shale, siltstone, and fine-grained
sandstone at adepth of 40 to 60 inches. They are deep and
poorlydrained.
Minor soils in the map unit are moderately welldrained
Readington and Reaville soils in shallowdepressions and along
drainageways and somewhatpoorly drained Abbottstown soils on slight
rises ofuplands. Moderately well drained Rowland soils are onbottom
lands. A few small areas of Urban land arescattered throughout.
Most areas of this map unit are used as cropland orwoodland.
Some areas are used for urbandevelopment. A few areas are idle. The
major crops arecorn, soybeans, small grain, hay, and pasture.
Erosionis the main hazard if cultivated crops are grown.
The soils of this map unit are well suited to poorlysuited to
cultivated crops and specialty crops. They arewell suited to
hayland, pasture, and woodland. On Pennsoils, depth to bedrock and
slope are severe limitationsfor onsite waste disposal. Slope is a
moderatelimitation to use of the soils in this map unit for
urbandevelopment. On Klinesville soils, depth to bedrockand slope
are severe limitations for onsite wastedisposal and most urban
development. On Crotonsoils, wetness and very slow and slow
permeability aresevere limitations for onsite waste disposal and
urbandevelopment. Penn and Klinesville soils are well suitedand
Croton soils are poorly suited to the more intensivetypes of
recreational development.
2. Lehigh-Neshaminy
Nearly level to very steep, deep and very deep,somewhat poorly
drained and well drained soils thatformed in residuum derived from
porcelanite anddiabase; on undulating to rolling ridges and
hills
These soils are dominantly in elongated or roundedareas adjacent
to lowlands (fig. 4).
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18 Soil Survey
This map unit makes up about 20 percent of thecounty. It is
about 55 percent Lehigh soils, 30 percentNeshaminy soils, and 15
percent minor soils.
Lehigh soils are nearly level to strongly sloping.They are on
ridgetops and side slopes. They arechannery throughout. They are
underlain by porcelanitebedrock at a depth of 40 to 60 inches. They
are deepand somewhat poorly drained.
Neshaminy soils are gently sloping to very steep.They are on
ridges and hills. They are underlain bydiabase bedrock at a depth
of 5 feet or more. They arevery deep and well drained.
Minor soils in this map unit are well drainedBrecknock and Penn
soils on broad ridgetops andsomewhat poorly drained Mount Lucas
soils andpoorly drained Croton and Watchung soils indepressions and
in drainageways on lowlands. A fewsmall areas of Urban land are
scattered aroundGettysburg.
Most areas of this map unit are used as cropland,pasture,
orchards, woodland, or recreation areas, but
some areas are in urban use. The Gettysburg NationalBattlefield
is dominantly in this map unit. The majorcrops are corn, soybeans,
small grain, fruit, hay, andpasture. Slope is the major limitation,
and erosion isthe major hazard.
The soils of this map unit are well suited togenerally unsuited
to cultivated crops and specialtycrops. They are fairly well suited
to improved pasture.Erosion is a severe hazard; thus, growing hay
crops onthe steeper slopes is impractical. These soils aresuited to
use as woodland. The steeper slopes,however, restrict the use of
logging roads and skidtrails.
Neshaminy soils are generally unsuited to urbanuses because
slope is a severe limitation. On Lehighsoils, depth to bedrock and
wetness are severelimitations to urban development and onsite
wastedisposal. Neshaminy and Lehigh soils are poorly suitedto the
more intensive types of recreationaldevelopment because of slope
and wetness,respectively.
Figure 3.—Typical pattern of soils and parent material on the
Penn-Klinesville-Croton general soil map unit.
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Adams County, Pennsylvania 19
3. Edgemont-Highfield-Catoctin
Gently sloping to very steep, very deep to moderatelydeep, well
drained and somewhat excessively drainedsoils that formed in
residuum derived from quartzite,metabasalt, and metarhyolite; on
ridges and hills ofSouth Mountain
The landscape is dominantly rolling and hilly, and,on South
Mountain, has narrow, undulating ridgetops(fig. 5).
This map unit makes up about 19 percent of thecounty. It is
about 40 percent Edgemont soils, 30percent Highfield soils, 20
percent Catoctin soils, and10 percent minor soils.
Edgemont soils are channery and generally verystony. They are
underlain by quartzite andconglomerate at a depth of 5 feet or
more. These soilsare very deep and well drained.
Highfield soils are channery. They are underlain bymetabasalt
and metarhyolite at a depth of 40 to 60inches. They are deep and
well drained.
Catoctin soils are channery. Generally, they areextremely stony.
They are underlain by metabasalt andmetarhyolite at a depth of 20
to 40 inches. These soilsare moderately deep and somewhat
excessivelydrained.
The minor soils in the map unit are well drainedMyersville,
Ravenrock, and Mt. Zion soils on ridgesbelow Edgemont, Highfield,
and Catoctin soils,somewhat poorly drained Rohrersville and
Buchanansoils on footslopes and in depressions anddrainageways, and
moderately well drained Codorussoils on bottom lands.
Most areas of this map unit are woodland. Someareas on some
footslopes are used as cropland ororchards. Part of South Mountain
is in Michaux StateForest. A few urban developments and towns
arescattered along major roads and on some ridgetopsand footslopes
in this unit. Trees for pulpwood andlumber are the major crop.
Fruit, corn, soybeans,small grain, hay, and pasture are grown in a
fewareas.
The soils of this map unit are either well suited orgenerally
suited or they are unsuited to cultivatedcrops and specialty crops.
They are fairly well suited toimproved pasture. Growing hay crops
is impractical onthe steeper slopes because erosion is a severe
hazard.These soils are suited to use as woodland and
wildlifehabitat. The steeper slopes, however, restrict the useof
logging roads and skid trails. These soils generallyare unsuited to
urban uses because slope, rockfragments in the soil, and depth to
bedrock are severelimitations, and are difficult to overcome. They
arepoorly suited to the more intensive types ofrecreational
development because of slope.
4. Highfield-Arendtsville-Rohrersville
Gently sloping to moderately steep, deep and verydeep, well
drained soils that formed in residuumderived from metabasalt,
metarhyolite, andconglomerate; on footslopes of South Mountain
These soils are on footslopes of South Mountain.The landscape is
dominantly undulating and rolling, butsome parts are hilly (fig.
6).
This map unit makes up about 12 percent of thecounty. It is
about 55 percent Highfield soils, 25
Figure 4.—Typical pattern of soils and parent material on the
Lehigh-Neshaminy general soil map unit.
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20 Soil Survey
percent Arendtsville soils, 10 percent Rohrersvillesoils, and 10
percent minor soils.
Highfield soils are channery. They are underlain bymetabasalt
and metarhyolite at a depth of 40 to 60inches.
Arendtsville soils are gravelly and generally verystony. They
are underlain by quartzite, metabasalt, andmetarhyolite at a depth
of 5 feet or more.
Rohrersville soils are silty and in wooded areas arevery stony.
They are underlain by metabasalt andmetaandesite at a depth of more
than 6 feet.
Minor soils in the map unit are somewhatexcessively drained
Catoctin soils on sides of ridgesand hills above Arendtsville
soils; well drained Legoreand Penn soils on broader ridgetops below
Highfieldsoils; moderately well drained Readington soils,somewhat
poorly drained Abbottstown soils, and poorlydrained Croton soils in
depressions and drainagewayson lowlands. Moderately well drained
Codorus andRowland soils, somewhat poorly drained
Bowmansvillesoils, and poorly drained Hatboro soils are on
bottomlands.
Most areas of this map unit are used as orchards,cropland, or
woodland. The major cash crops aretimber, apples, cherries,
peaches, corn, soybeans,small grain, hay, and pasture. Urban
developments arescattered along the major roads in the area.
The soils of this map unit, depending on slope, arewell suited
or generally unsuited to cultivated cropsand specialty crops. They
are fairly well suited toimproved pasture. On the steeper slopes
erosion is asevere hazard and growing hay crops is impractical.The
soils are suited to use as woodland. The steeperslopes, however,
restrict use of logging roads and skidtrails. The soils are suited
to use as wildlife habitat.
These soils generally are unsuited to urban usesbecause slope,
rock fragments in the soils, and depthto bedrock are severe
limitations, and are difficult toovercome. Suitability of these
soils for the moreintensive types of recreational development is
poorbecause of slope.
5. Penn-Abbottstown-Readington
Nearly level to strongly sloping, moderately deep anddeep, well
drained to somewhat poorly drained soilsthat formed in residuum
derived from shale, siltstone,and sandstone; on broad, dissected
uplands
These soils are on broad, dissected uplands. Thelandscape is
dominantly nearly level to rolling but hasmany depressions and
drainageways and some lowridges that have steep side slopes.
This map unit makes up about 14 percent of thecounty. It is
about 40 percent Penn soils, 25 percentAbbottstown soils, 20
percent Readington soils, and 15percent minor soils.
Penn soils are gently sloping and strongly sloping.They are on
broad to narrow ridgetops and on the sidesof ridges. They are
underlain by red shale, siltstone,and sandstone at a depth of 20 to
40 inches. They aremoderately deep and well drained.
Abbottstown soils are nearly level and gentlysloping. They are
on broad ridgetops, depressions, anddrainageways. They are
underlain by red shale,siltstone, and fine-grained sandstone at a
depth of 40to 60 inches. They are deep and somewhat
poorlydrained.
Readington soils are nearly level and gently sloping.They are on
broad ridgetops, in depressions, and along
Figure 5.—Typical pattern of soils and parent material on the
Edgemont-Highfield-Catoctin general soil map unit.
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Adams County, Pennsylvania 21
drainageways. They are underlain by dominantly redshale,
siltstone, and sandstone at a depth of 40 to 60inches. They are
deep and moderately well drained.
Minor soils in the map unit are somewhatexcessively drained
Klinesville soils and well drainedLansdale and Steinsburg soils on
highly dissectedridges and hills and moderately well drained
Reavillesoils and poorly drained Croton soils in depressionsand
drainageways on lowlands. Well drained Bermudiansoils, moderately
well drained Rowland soils, andsomewhat poorly drained Bowmansville
soils are onbottom lands.
Most areas of this map unit are used for crops, hay,and pasture;
some areas are used for urbandevelopment; and a few areas remain in
woodland use.A few small areas of urban land are
scatteredthroughout. The major crops are corn, soybeans,
smallgrain, hay, and pasture. Erosion is the main hazard inareas
where cultivated crops are grown.
The soils of this map unit are well suited to poorlysuited to
cultivated crops and specialty crops. They arewell suited to hay,
pasture, and woodland. On Pennsoils, depth to bedrock is a severe
limitation for onsitewaste disposal. These soils are fairly well
suited tomost urban developments, but depth to bedrock andslope are
limitations. On Abbottstown and Readingtonsoils, wetness is a
severe limitation for onsite wastedisposal and urban development.
Penn soils are fairly
well suited to the more intensive types of
recreationaldevelopment.
6. Conestoga-Clarksburg-Penlaw
Nearly level to strongly sloping, very deep, well drainedto
somewhat poorly drained soils that formed inresiduum derived from
limestone and calcareousschist; on valley ridges
These soils are on nearly level to rolling uplands, onlowlands,
and in drainageways. The landscape isundulating and has a few low
ridges.
This map unit makes up about 5 percent of thecounty. It is about
45 percent Conestoga soils, 20percent Clarksburg soils, 20 percent
Penlaw soils, and15 percent minor soils.
Conestoga soils are nearly level to strongly sloping.They are on
smooth and undulating uplands. Thesesoils are underlain by
limestone and calcareous schistbedrock at a depth of 5 feet or
more. They are verydeep and well drained.
Clarksburg soils are nearly level to gently sloping.They are in
depressions on lowlands. These soilsare underlain by limestone
bedrock at a depth of5 feet or more. They are very deep and
moderatelywell drained.
Penlaw soils are nearly level. They are indepressions and
drainageways on lowlands.
Figure 6.—Typical landscape of the
Highfield-Arendtsville-Rohrersville general soil map unit.
Arendtsville soils extend from theforeground to Highfield soils on
hills in the background. Croton soils are in drainageways.
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22 Soil Survey
They are underlain by limestone, schist, shale,and sandstone at
a depth of 5 feet or more.They are very deep and somewhat
poorlydrained.
Minor soils in the map unit are moderately welldrained Glenelg
and Penn soils on ridges and hillssimilar to those of Clarksburg
soils and moderatelywell drained Readington and Abbottstown soilson
broad ridgetops and in depressions anddrainageways on lowlands.
Lindside andDunning soils are on bottom lands. A largearea of Pits,
quarries, is near Bittinger. Urbanland is in the vicinity of
Littlestown andMcSherrystown.
Most areas of soils in the map unit are cropland orpasture.
Pasture for race horses is an important use. Afew ridges are used
as woodland. The major cashcrops are corn, soybeans, small grain,
hay, andpasture. Conestoga soils are fairly well suited to
onsitewaste disposal and most urban developments;moderate
permeability and slope are limitations. OnClarksburg and Penlaw
soils, wetness is a severelimitation to onsite waste disposal and
urban
development. Suitability is good for the moreintensive type of
recreational developmenton Conestoga soils and, because of
wetness,fair on Clarksburg soils and very limited on
Penlawsoils.
7. Glenelg-Mt. Airy
Gently sloping to moderately steep, moderatelydeep and deep,
well drained and somewhatexcessively drained soils that formed
inresiduum derived from schist and phyllite;on ridges and hills
These soils are on dissected uplands and indepressions and
drainageways. The landscape isundulating to rolling, but some areas
are hilly andmoderately steep (fig. 7).
This map unit makes up about 3 percent ofthe county. It is about
55 percent Glenelg soils,35 percent Mt. Airy soils, and 10 percent
minorsoils.
Glenelg soils are gently sloping to moderately steep.They are on
narrow ridgetops and on side slopes. They
Figure 7.—Typical pattern of soils and parent material on the
Glenelg-Mt. Airy general soil map unit.
Colluvium
Colluvium
Schist
AlluviumColluvium
Schist
Mt. Airy andManor
Mt. Airyand
Manor
Mt. Airy and Manor
GlenelgGlenelg
Glenelg
GlenelgBaile
Codorus
Glenville
Glenville
Glenville
Glenelg
Mt. Airyand
ManorMt. Airyand
Manor
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Adams County, Pennsylvania 23
are underlain by schist and phyllite bedrock at a depthof 40 to
60 inches. They are deep and well drained.
Mt. Airy soils are gently sloping to moderately steep.They are
on ridges and hills and on narrow side slopes.They are channery
throughout. They are underlain byschist and phyllite bedrock at a
depth 20 to 40 inches.They are moderately deep and somewhat
excessivelydrained.
Minor soils in the map unit are somewhatexcessively drained
Manor soils on narrow ridges andhills and moderately well drained
Glenville soils andpoorly drained Baile soils on lowlands.
Moderately welldrained Codorus soils are on bottom lands.
Most areas of this map unit are cropland,pasture, or woodland,
but some areas are usedfor urban development or recreation. The
major cropsare corn, soybeans, small grain, hay, and pasture.Slope
is the major limitation; erosion is the majorhazard.
The soils of this map unit are either well suited orgenerally
suited or they are unsuited to cultivatedcrops and specialty crops.
They are fairly well suitedto improved pasture. Erosion is a severe
hazardon the steeper slopes, and growing hay crops isimpractical.
This soil is suited to use as woodland.The steeper slopes, however,
restrict use of loggingroads and skid trails. The soils generally
are unsuitedto urban uses because slope and depth to bedrockare
severe limitations and are difficult toovercome. The soils are
poorly suited to the moreintensive types of recreational
development because ofslope.
8. Athol-Penlaw-Clarksburg
Nearly level to strongly sloping, very deep, well drainedto
somewhat poorly drained soils that formed inresiduum derived from
limestone and limestoneconglomerate; on uplands
These soils are on dissected uplands, onlowlands, and in
drainageways. The landscapeis dominantly nearly level to
rolling.
This map unit makes up about 1 percent of the
county. It is about 45 percent Athol soils, 25 percentPenlaw
soils, 20 percent Clarksburg soils, and 10percent minor soils.
Athol soils are nearly level to strongly sloping.They are on
dissected uplands. They are underlainby quartz, sandstone, and
shale bedrock at a depthof 5 feet or more. They are very deep and
welldrained.
Penlaw soils are nearly level. They are on lowlandsand in
depressions and drainageways. They areunderlain by limestone,
schist, shale, and sandstone ata depth of 5 feet or more. They are
very deep andsomewhat poorly drained.
Clarksburg soils are nearly level and gently sloping.They are on
lowlands and in depressions. They areunderlain by limestone bedrock
at a depth of 5 feetor more. They are very deep and moderately
welldrained.
Minor soils in the map unit are well drainedHighfield,
Myersville, and Penn soils on highlydissected ridges and hills and
moderately welldrained Readington and Buchanan soils onlowlands.
Moderately well drained Lindside soilsand very poorly drained
Dunning soils are onbottom lands.
Most areas of this map unit are used as cropland,pasture, or
orchards. The major crops are corn,soybeans, small grain, apples,
peaches, and pasture.Erosion is the main hazard if cultivated crops
aregrown.
The soils of this map unit are well suited topoorly suited to
cultivated crops and specialtycrops. They are well suited to hay,
pasture, andwoodland. Many dairy farms in the county are onthese
soils. On Athol soils, suitability for onsitewaste disposal and
most urban development is fair,because moderate permeability and
slope arelimitations.
On Clarksburg and Penlaw soils, wetness is asevere limitation
for onsite waste disposal andurban development. Suitability is good
for themore intensive type of recreational developmenton Athol
soils and fair on Clarksburg and Penlawsoils.
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25
The map units delineated on the detailed soil mapsin this survey
represent the soils or miscellaneousareas in the survey area. The
map unit descriptions inthis section, along with the maps, can be
used todetermine the suitability and potential of a unit
forspecific uses. They also can be used to plan themanagement
needed for those uses.
A map unit delineation on a soil map represents anarea dominated
by one or more major kinds of soil ormiscellaneous areas. A map
unit is identified andnamed according to the taxonomic
classification of thedominant soils. Within a taxonomic class there
areprecisely defined limits for the properties of the soils.On the
landscape, however, the soils are naturalphenomena, and they have
the characteristic variabilityof all natural phenomena. Thus, the
range of someobserved properties may extend beyond the
limitsdefined for a taxonomic class. Areas of soils of asingle
taxonomic class rarely, if ever, can be mappedwithout including
areas of other taxonomic classes.Consequently, every map unit is
made up of the soilsor miscellaneous areas for which it is named
and someminor components that belong to taxonomic classesother than
those of the major soils.
Most minor soils have properties similar to those ofthe dominant
soil or soils in the map unit, and thusthey do not affect use and
management. These arecalled noncontrasting, or similar, components.
Theymay or may not be mentioned in a particular map
unitdescription. Other minor components, however, haveproperties
and behavioral characteristics divergentenough to affect use or to
require differentmanagement. These are called contrasting,
ordissimilar, components. They generally are in smallareas and
could not be mapped separately because ofthe scale used. Some small
areas of stronglycontrasting soils or miscellaneous areas are
identifiedby a special symbol on the maps. The
contrastingcomponents are mentioned in the map unitdescriptions. A
few areas of minor components maynot have been observed, and
consequently they arenot mentioned in the descriptions, especially
where thepattern was so complex that it was impractical to
makeenough observations to identify all the soils andmiscellaneous
areas on the landscape.
The presence of minor components in a map unit inno way
diminishes the usefulness or accuracy of thedata. The objective of
mapping is not to delineate puretaxonomic classes but rather to
separate thelandscape into landforms or landform segments thathave
similar use and management requirements. Thedelineation of such
segments on the map providessufficient information for the
development of resourceplans. If intensive use of small areas is
planned,however, onsite investigation is needed to define andlocate
the soils and miscellaneous areas.
An identifying symbol precedes the map unit namein the map unit
descriptions. Each description includesgeneral facts about the unit
and gives the principalhazards and limitations to be considered in
planning forspecific uses.
Soils that have profiles that are almost alike makeup a soil
series. Except for differences in texture of thesurface layer, all
the soils of a series have majorhorizons that are similar in
composition, thickness, andarrangement.
Soils of one series can differ in texture of thesurface layer,
slope, stoniness, salinity, degree oferosion, and other
characteristics that affect their use.On the basis of such
differences, a soil series isdivided into soil phases. Most of the
areas shown onthe detailed soil maps are phases of soil series.
Thename of a soil phase commonly indicates a featurethat affects
use or management. For example,Conestoga silt loam, 3 to 8 percent
slopes, is a phaseof the Conestoga series.
Some map units are made up of two or more majorsoils or
miscellaneous areas. These map units arecomplexes or
undifferentiated groups.
A complex consists of two or more soils ormiscellaneous areas in
such an intricate pattern or insuch small areas that they cannot be
shown separatelyon the maps. The pattern and proportion of the
soils ormiscellaneous areas are somewhat similar in all
areas.Penn-Klinesville channery silt loams, 8 to 15 percentslopes,
is an example.
An undifferentiated group is made up of two or moresoils or
miscellaneous areas that could be mappedindividually but are mapped
as one unit becausesimilar interpretations can be made for use
and
Detailed Soil Map Units
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26 Soil Survey
management. The pattern and proportion of the soils
ormiscellaneous areas in a mapped area are not uniform.An area can
be made up of only one of the major soilsor miscellaneous areas, or
it can be made up of all ofthem. Highfield, Catoctin, and
Myersville soils, 8 to 25percent slopes, very stony, is an
undifferentiated groupin this survey area.
Most map units include small scattered areas ofsoils other than
those for which the map unit is named.Some of these included soils
have properties thatdiffer substantially from those of the major
soil or soils.Such differences could significantly affect use
andmanagement of the soils in the map unit. Thesedissimilar soils
are described in each map unit. Also,some of the more unusual or
strongly contrasting soilsare identified by a special symbol on the
soil maps.
This survey includes some miscellaneous areas.Such areas have
little or no soil material and supportlittle or no vegetation.
Pits, quarries, is an example.Some miscellaneous areas are large
enough to bedelineated on the soil map. Some that are too small
tobe delineated are identified by a special symbol on thesoil
maps.
The name, descriptions, and delineations of soils onthe detailed
soil maps of Adams County do not alwaysagree or join fully with
those of the soils identified onthe maps of adjoining counties
published at an earlierdate. Some differences are the result of
changes inconcepts of soil series. Other differences result
fromvariations in the extent of the soils. Others are theresult of
variations in the slope range allowed in themap units of adjoining
counties.
Table 4 gives the acreage and proportionate extentof each map
unit. Other tables give properties of thesoils and the limitations,
capabilities, and potentials formany uses. The Glossary defines
many of the termsused in describing the soils or miscellaneous
areas.
Soil Descriptions
AbA—Abbottstown silt loam, 0 to 3percent slopes
This is a nearly level, deep, somewhat poorlydrained soil on
broad uplands and in depressions anddrainageways. Slopes are smooth
or concave. Areas ofthis soil are irregular or long and narrow in
shape, andrange from 5 to 100 acres in size.
Typically, the surface layer is dark reddish gray,friable silt
loam about 10 inches thick. The subsoil isabout 30 inches thick. In
the upper 5 inches it isreddish brown, mottled, friable silty clay
loam. In thenext 5 inches it is reddish gray, mottled, firm silty
clay
loam. In the next 5 inches it is weak red, mottled, veryfirm
silty clay loam. In the lower 15 inches it is weakred, mottled,
very firm and brittle silt loam andchannery silt loam. The
substratum, to a depth of 45inches, is weak red, firm extremely
channery silt loam.Weak red sandstone bedrock is at a depth of
45inches. In some areas this soil is gently sloping. Insome areas
it does not have a fragipan, and in otherareas it is not as red
throughout.
Included with this soil in mapping are a few, small,scattered
areas of shallow, excessively drainedKlinesville soils on narrow,
elongated ridges and onsides of ridges and well drained Penn soils
on broadridges and hills above the Abbottstown soil. Alsoincluded
are a few areas of moderately well drained,deep Readington soils
and moderately deep Reavillesoils in positions on the landscape
similar to those ofthe Abbottstown soil. Also included are some
smallareas of poorly drained Croton soils on low-lying
risesslightly above bottom lands. Included soils make upabout 15
percent of the map unit.
Permeability is moderate in the solum above thefragipan, slow in
the fragipan, and moderately slow orslow in the substratum. The
available water capacity ismoderate, and surface runoff is very
high. Theseasonal high water table is at a depth of 6 to 18inches.
The fragipan is at a depth of 15 to 30 inches. Inunlimed areas this
soil is extremely acid to stronglyacid in the upper part of the
solum and strongly acid toslightly acid in the lower part and in
the substratum.The seasonal high water table and fragipan restrict
rootpenetration.
Most areas of this soil are used as cropland orpasture. Some
areas are used as woodland or are idleland. A few areas are in
urban development.
This soil is fairly well suited to corn, soybeans,small grain,
and most specialty crops. The mainlimitation is the seasonal high
water table, whichinterferes with seeding and harvesting of some
crops.Existing subsurface drains allow timely tillage.
Leavingstubble on the surface and adding other organicmaterial help
to conserve moisture. Crop residuemanagement, cover crops, and
green manure cropshelp to maintain organic matter content and to
improvesoil tilth.
This soil is well suited to pasture. Fall-sown grassesand
legumes are subject to losses over winter becauseof frost heaving
and wetness. Overgrazing or grazingwhen the soil is wet, however,
can damage the sod,reduces plant density and forage yields, and
causessurface compaction, poor tilth, and increased surfacerunoff.
Proper stocking rates to maintain key plantspecies, pasture
rotation, timely deferment of grazing,application of fertilizers,
and restricted use during wet
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Adams County, Pennsylvania 27
periods, help to keep the pasture and the soil in
goodcondition.
Potential productivity for trees on this soil ismoderately high.
Water-tolerant species are favored intimber stands. The equipment
limitation is the mainmanagement concern. The high water table
restrictsuse of equipment to midsummer, when the soil is dry,or to
midwinter, when the soil is frozen or has anadequate snow cover.
Machine planting of trees ispractical in large areas.
Wetness and slow or moderately slow permeabilityare the main
limitations of the soil for urban uses,especially as a site for
septic tank absorption fields orbuildings. If buildings are
constructed on this soil,installing foundation drains with proper
outlets willprevent water from seeping into basements. The soil
isseverely limited as a site for local roads and streets.Providing
adequate side ditches and culverts helps toprevent the damage of
wetness and frost action.
The land capability classification is 3w. Thewoodland ordination
symbol is 4W.
AbB—Abbottstown silt loam, 3 to 8percent slopes
This is a gently sloping, deep, somewhat poorlydrained soil on
broad uplands and in depressions anddrainageways. Slopes are smooth
or concave. Areas ofthis soil are irregular or long and narrow in
shape andrange from 5 to 100 acres in size.
Typically, the surface layer is dark reddish gray,friable silt
loam about 10 inches thick. The subsoil isabout 30 inches thick. In
the upper 5 inches it isreddish brown, mottled, friable silty clay
loam. In thenext 5 inches it is reddish gray, mottled, firm silty
clayloam. In the next 5 inches it is weak red, mottled, veryfirm
silty clay loam. In the lower 15 inches it is weakred, mottled,
firm and brittle silt loam and channery siltloam. The substratum,
to a depth of 45 inches, is weakred, very firm extremely channery
silt loam. Weak redsandstone bedrock is at a depth of 45 inches. In
someareas this soil is nearly level. In some areas it does nothave
a fragipan, and in other areas it is not as redthroughout.
Included with this soil in mapping are a few smallareas of
shallow, excessively drained Klinesville soilson narrow, elongated
ridges and on sides of ridges andwell drained Penn soils on broad
ridges and hills abovethe Abbottstown soil. Also included are a few
areas ofmoderately well drained, deep Readington soils
andmoderately deep Reaville soils in positions on thelandscape
similar to those of the Abbottstown soil.Also included are some
small areas of poorly drainedCroton soils on low-lying rises
slightly above bottom
lands. Included soils make up about 15 percent of themap
unit.
Permeability of the Abbotstown soil is moderate inthe solum
above the fragipan, slow in the fragipan, andmoderately slow or
slow in the substratum. Availablewater capacity is moderate, and
surface runoff is veryhigh. The seasonal high water table is at a
depth of 6 to18 inches. The fragipan is at a depth of 15 to
30inches. In unlimed areas this soil is extremely acid tostrongly
acid in the upper part of the solum andstrongly acid to slightly
acid in the lower part and in thesubstratum. The seasonal high
water table and thefragipan restrict root penetration.
Most areas of this soil are used as cropland orpasture. Some
areas are used as woodland or for urbandevelopment.
This soil is fairly well suited to corn, soybeans,small grain,
and most specialty crops. Erosion is themain hazard and the
seasonal high water table is themain limitation if cultivated crops
are grown. A croppingsequence that includes grasses and legumes,
aconservation tillage system that leaves protectiveamounts of crop
residue on the surface, diversions,contour farming, and grassed
waterways help to reducesurface runoff and to control erosion.
Cover crops andcrop residue management also help to control
erosion,to maintain organic matter content, and to improve
soiltilth. The seasonal high water table interferes withseeding and
harvesting of some crops; however,existing subsurface drains allow
timely tillage.
This soil is well suited to pasture. Fall-sown grassesand
legumes are subject to losses over winter becauseof frost heaving
and wetness. Growing grasses andlegumes is effective in controlling
erosion. Overgrazingor grazing when the soil is wet, however, can
damagethe sod, reduces plant density and forage yields, andcauses
surface compaction, poor tilth, and increasedsurface runoff. Proper
stocking rates to maintain keyplant species, pasture rotation,
timely deferment ofgrazing, application of fertilizers, and
restricted useduring wet periods help to keep the pasture and the
soilin good condition.
Potential productivity for trees on this soil ismoderately high.
Water-tolerant species are favored intimber stands. The equipment
limitation is the mainmanagement concern. The high water table
restrictsuse of equipment to midsummer, when the soil is dry,or to
midwinter, when the soil is frozen or has anadequate snow cover.
Machine planting of trees ispractical in large areas.
Wetness and slow or moderately slow permeabilityare the main
limitations of the soil for urban uses,especially as a site for
septic tank absorption fields orbuildings. If buildings are
constructed on this soil,
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28 Soil Survey
installing foundation drains with proper outlets willprevent
seepage into basements. The soil is severelylimited as a site for
local roads and streets. Providingadequate side ditches and
culverts helps to preventthe damage of wetness and frost
action.
The land capability classification is 3w. Thewoodland ordination
symbol is 4W.
ArB—Arendtsville gravelly loam, 3 to 8percent slopes
This is a gently sloping, very deep, well drained soilon
ridgetops. Slopes are smooth or convex. Areas areirregular in shape
and range from 5 to 100 acres insize.
Typically, the surface layer is dark reddish brown,friable
gravelly loam about 9 inches thick. The subsoilis about 44 inches
thick. In the upper 7 inches it isreddish brown, friable gravelly
loam. In the next 24inches it is dark reddish brown and dark red,
friablegravelly sandy clay loam. In the lower 13 inches it isdark
red, friable gravelly sandy loam. The substratumto a depth of 72
inches is reddish brown and weak red,friable gravelly sandy loam.
In some areas the soil isnearly level and strongly sloping. In some
areas itcontains more silt and clay. In some areas the subsoilis
yellowish brown and brown. In other areas bedrock isat a depth of
less than 60 inches.
Included with this soil in mapping, in depressions onbroad
uplands, are a few scattered areas of deep,moderately well drained
Readington soils that havegray mottles in the middle and lower
parts of thesubsoil. Also included are a few gullied areas andareas
where a few large sandstone fragments are onthe surface and in the
soil. Included soils make upabout 15 percent of the map unit.
Permeability of the Arentsville soil is moderate ormoderately
rapid. Available water capacity is moderate.Surface runoff is low.
In unlimed areas this soil isextremely acid to moderately acid in
the upper part ofthe solum and extremely acid to strongly acid in
thelower part and in the substratum.
Most areas of this soil are used as orchards orwoodland. A few
areas are used as cropland or pastureor are idle.
This soil is well suited to corn, soybeans, smallgrain, and most
specialty crops. Erosion is the mainhazard if cultivated crops are
grown. A croppingsequence that includes grasses and legumes,
aconservation tillage system that leaves protectiveamounts of crop
residue on the surface, diversions,contour farming, and grassed
waterways help to reducesurface runoff and to control erosion.
Cover crops andcrop residue management also help to control
erosion,
to maintain organic matter content, and t