When land across the mountains became available in the early nineteent

When land across the mountains became available in the early nineteenth century,

(a) much of New England was simply abandoned by people primarily interested in farming.
(b) live-stock raising, dairying and lumbering kept rural New England from being totally abandoned.
(c) very few New England farmers elected to stay in New England.
(d) Manufacturing quickly replaced New England farming.

ANSWER

(b)