Final answer:
New England's northern agriculture struggled due to rocky soil, economic policies not favoring farm goods for debt payments, and challenging terrain, which led to social unrest like Shays' Rebellion.
Step-by-step explanation:
New England's agriculture faced significant challenges in the north. The long winters and rocky soil made farming difficult, leading to a focus on self-sufficiency rather than market production. Economic policies further discouraged agriculture, as farm goods were not accepted as payment for debts and taxes, which, along with high taxes and legal fees, placed farmers in a difficult economic position.
This situation contributed to social unrest, such as the Shays' Rebellion, where indebted farmers, led by Daniel Shays, protested against state policies.
Additionally, the physical geography of northern New England, with its rugged terrain and poor soil, did not support large-scale agriculture, resulting in less population and a pivot toward sectors like manufacturing and paper production in states like Maine.