Why did farming play a limited role in Halifax’s early economy?

Farming played a limited role in the early economy of Halifax, Nova Scotia, primarily because the thin soils surrounding the city were unsuitable for agriculture.1

Unlike many other colonial coastal communities where residents relied on a combination of fishing and farming, Halifax developed as a military and naval creation. Its early economic foundation was built on providing services to army and navy personnel, as well as leveraging its location on a deep, ice-free natural harbour to serve as an important import-export centre for trade between Britain, North America, and the West Indies. Additionally, the primary fishing banks were located a considerable distance from the harbour, further distinguishing the city's economic trajectory from traditional fishing-based settlements.1