Several corn fields and secondary growth in fallow fields shows what agriculture was like in the 17th century Chesapeake region. The native population did not have the technology to clear extensive areas of forest and plant the large, regular fields we are used to today. After 5 to 10 years of use, a piece of land would become less productive and Chesapeake Indians abandoned it. An adjacent parcel was then prepared and planted, creating a patchwork of active and old fields. When the easily accessible land with good soil was used up in an area, the village could be relocated to a place where the untouched land was available. Chesapeake Indians knew from experience what were the best soils for hoe agriculture and consistently settled in those locations.