Farming Vs American Farming

Economically, the New England colonies were primarily based on industry while the Chesapeake Bay colonies relied on agriculture. The long, brutal winters and rocky, infertile soil of the North proved insufficient for the establishment of large plantations to grow staple crops. As a result, agriculture in New England was set on a very small-scale and slavery couldn’t exist on these small farms. Instead, industries such as fishing, lumber, commerce, shipbuilding, and whaling prospered in the North.

Beginning in 1607, when ambitious English colonists settled in Jamestown, and continuing until the last of the thirteen colonies was established; geography was a substantial factor in the development of colonial America. The crops that essentially saved the colonists lives, such as tobacco, rice, and indigo, wouldn’t have grown without a certain type and amount of soil to grow properly. Also, the Appalachian Mountains and the dense forests provided a barrier for the colonists, preventing them from going too far west right away, and causing the colonies to form in the arrangement they did. Finally, the population was the most dense in middle colonies, such as New York, New Jersey, Delaware, and Pennsylvania partly because of the mild

While both colonies were settled in Eastern America, the regional geography had a hand in influencing this expansion. New England was known for its harsh climate, forcing its inhabitants to endure brutal winters, and miserably hot summers. Because many European immigrants sought arable land, the unyielding soil of New England impeded the immigrants agriculturally and forced them to depend on livestock. They criticized the Indians for “wasting” the land-not using what little arable land they had to its full potential. As a result, the New Englanders used up as much land as they could to make sure “[t]hat everyone shall have a share of the meadow or planting ground…” (Doc D). They felt it was their duty to clear woodlands and establish a settlement. Additionally, they turned to the coastline and built harbors to fish rather than farm, unlike their Southern counterparts. Geography had a different impact on the people of the Chesapeake region. The people of Chesapeake capitalized on their good soil, and, unlike the New Englanders, they grew tobacco. Tobacco proved very profitable and

There are similarities and differences of the geography of New England and Southern colonies. The South had mild, rainy winters and long hot humid summers. This means,the South could grow many crops. According to “A Virginia Plantation,” the south had lots of plantations with tobacco and corn (Doc 6). However, New England had long cold winters and a short growing season. This means New England did not grow as many crops as the South. Instead, many colonists had small farms for their family or community. Therefore, the differences in geography helped to shape the development of the New England and Southern regions.

Each region developed distinctly because of the difference in climate and terrain. In New England, there was mostly rocky terrain and cold temperatures. During the frost, the mosquitoes, carriers of fatal diseases like malaria, disappeared. Thus, the number of deaths caused by illnesses was less compared to those in the Chesapeake region. However, due to its infertile land, the colony struggled to find a sustainable cash crop. Because settlers came by ship, New England colonies were primarily on the coast, resulting in their economy being dependent on the ocean and resorting to sending “fish, foodstuffs, timber, and horses” to foreign ports. (Narrative p. 23)

Climate: The colonists experience long winters and short summers. The growing season lasts about five months therefore, a bulk of food has to be harvested to last throughout the winter season. Cold winters help diminish the escalation of disease throughout the colonies. The weather in the colonies is compatible to England’s (in most parts), making adapting less difficult.

The article, “Economy in Colonial New England” talks about the economy in the New England colony, it says “In contrast to the southern colonies, which could produce tobacco, rice, and indigo in exchange for imports, New England's colonies couldn't offer much to England beyond fish, furs, and naval stores.” The New England colonies used the fishing and the construction of boats to maintain economically. They made soap, clothing and candles. Its exports fish, whale products, boats, wood products, furs, maple syrup, copper, horses, beer and whiskey. They had problems with agriculture, it was difficult to plant wheat because the quality of nutrients on the land was poor, but corn, pumpkins, rye and beans had better

3. The settlement of the colonies was different from what was offered to them and had to find ways how to work with it. There were three types of colonies: Corporate,Royal, Proprietary. Corperate functioned by joint-stock companies. Royal colonies functioned by the authority and the king's government. Proprietary functioned by individuals granted charters of ownership by the king. The Chesapeake Colonies had labor shortages. Landowners observe that there was excelent land but they couldn’t find enough labores. In New England relgion helped settlers from diffuclties they had in Plymouth and Massachusetts. When settlers where dissaponited with the authority of Massachusetts they traveled in search for a better place. They found Connecticut

There was very little development of the industry as a result of plantation owners putting all of their money into their land and slaves. This resulted in little investment and was therefore the cause for little development. The little bit of industry development that there was resulted in Lumber, fur and Naval store trading. In the Middle Colonies the establishment was also partially economical, with the exception of Pennsylvania. Just as in the South these colonies were established to serve the mother country, however the agriculture was producing different crops, and the industry was producing fur and Naval supplies but not much Lumber. The agricultural aspect of the economy flourished because of the moderate climate which provided for longer growing seasons and also the rich soil found in the area. The main crops were Wheat, Barley, Fruit and livestock was also produced. These colonies were known as "The Bread Basket." Although mainly established for religious reasons the north also contributed to the mercantile system. The climate was cold ad growing seasons were short, the soil was rocky and it was hard to produce crops. However small amounts of Beans, Barley, Oats and corn were produced along with livestock. The main economic advantage in the North was the fact that it was in a good trading location and had good ports. This is why the

Down in the southern colonies the climate was usually mild and warm. The soil was fertile allowing crops to be grown. Farmers would either use the crops to eat or they would sell them, which would also be known as a cash crop. This is a crop not used for the farmers use, but to sell instead. Its surprising how the southerners managed to survive and thrive without the amazing inventions we have come to know today. Many of the inventions could have been extremely helpful in the southern colonies if people could travel back in time.

Agriculture was a prominent feature in colonial economy. In all of the colonies, it was a way for colonists to obtain food and income. In New England, subsistence farming was common. In the Middle Colonies, there was rich soil that produced the perfect environment for crops such as wheat and corn, which was exported as to Europe and the West Indies, creating a source of income from agriculture. In the Southern Colonies, there were subsistence farms and plantations. Plantations grew their own food, as well as cash crops that created a source of income.

The economy of the two regions also greatly differed because of the terrain that they landed on. Because the land in the south was much more fertile than in the north, the southern colonies thrived in rice and tobacco, profiting greatly. In New England the settlers could not grow anything in the rocky terrain and were forced into fishing, building, and farming. However, not much farming went on because of the infertile soil. In the Chesapeake slaves were also a main part of their economy. The slave trade made them very wealthy because of their closeness to the West Indies. They would be shipped many slaves and then use them to harvest their crops and plant their land. Soon, the slaves outnumbered white settlers by about four to one.

Farmers followed the ranchers onto the Great Plains. For half a century, the plains had been viewed as too dry for farming. Mapmakers labeled the area the “Great American Desert.” Then, in the 1870s, a few homesteaders plowed and planted the grassland. They were lucky. These were years of plentiful rain, and their fields yielded fine crops.

“Agriculture is our wisest pursuit,because it will in the end contribute most to real wealth, good morals and happiness.”- Thomas Jefferson. Education and agriculture have always been a major key in the lives of many Americans.  In early years many Americans lived on family farms producing food and fiber.  Planting and harvest times determined when children would attend school because older siblings needed to be home to assist with crops.  Most food came from family farms instead of a grocery store, as they do now.  Today's youth have no idea how difficult growing and harvesting crops for a family truly is.  Millions of people depend on farmers for their food source.  So how do we create farmers?  The easiest way is to introduce students to

Does anyone even really know where food actually comes from? Food comes from all over the world. Food is handed to everyone in the world every time people go some ware or someplace that carries it. Most of these foods come from farmers all over the globe. They spend precious hours and time making these crops for everyone.