Final answer:
Farming was difficult in New England colonies due to long winters, rocky soil, and a focus on self-sufficiency rather than commercial agriculture.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the New England colonies, farming was difficult due to three main factors: the long winters, the rocky soil, and the focus on self-sufficiency rather than commercial agriculture. The long winters limited the growing season and made it challenging to cultivate crops. The rocky soil made it difficult for farmers to grow crops successfully, leading to a reliance on other economic activities such as whaling, fishing, and shipbuilding. Finally, the New England colonies prioritized self-sufficiency, meaning that farmers were more focused on growing crops for their own consumption rather than for the market.