The New England colonies had rocky soil, which was not suited to plantation farming, so the New England colonies depended on fishing, lumbering, and subsistence farming. The Middle colonies also featured mixed economies, including farming and merchant shipping.
The Middle colonies had some slaves, while the New England colonies had very few slaves. There was more large-scale farming in the southern part of the Middle colonies, where the soil was more fertile and the climate more suited for farming.
The Middle Colonies were more diverse than colonies in New England. Most early settlers depended on the fur trade and farming for economic survival. The Middle Colonies were settled by different nationalities so there was a greater emphasis on religious toleration and cultural diversity.