Final answer:
The major industry in Connecticut during this period was part-time manufacturing, with a focus on the textile sector, supported by subsistence farming and clock part production.
Step-by-step explanation:
The major industry in Connecticut was part-time manufacturing, particularly in the textile industry. Farmers and their families engaged in a range of activities alongside subsistence farming. They utilized the marginally better farming conditions to produce textiles on the farm, including spinning woolen thread, weaving fabric, and making rugs and stockings. Moreover, manufacturing on the farm allowed for greater control over their labor, increasing domestic productivity.
This contributed to the availability of goods for sale in nearby towns and cities. Connecticut also had a secondary industry in clock part production, showcasing the varied nature of its economic activities in this period. Engaging in extensive agriculture enabled transport of crops to markets despite the less valuable land and lower-labor-cost farming practices typical of New England's rocky terrain.