The correct answer is C) geography.
The factor that contributed most to why large farms and plantations were never formed in New England was geography.
Not all the colonies in North America were capable of growing crops. The fertile soil was found in the Middle colonies and the Southern colonies. Indeed, the Middle colonies were known as the "Breadbasket of America" for their crops production. But that was not the case with New England Colonies. The soil of this region was rocky and not good for farming. That is why they did not have big plantations, just small portions of land to be farmed. They better became good fishermen and shipbuilders.