According to the pilot, the aircraft had not been flown for two months and he intended to practice touch and go landings. Maintenance personnel were requested to add 10 gallons of fuel to the right main tank just prior to departure. They reported that upon arrival, the pilot did not drain any fuel from the aircraft or perform any other form of pre-flight inspection. Upon raising the landing gear after takeoff, the pilot noticed an unsafe nose gear light. The nose gear was pumped up and the power reduced to climb when the engine began to surge. At 1200 to 1400 feet AGL, the pilot turned crosswind but was unable to maintain altitude. The pilot reported that the left engine was developing about 1,000 RPM at this time. Descending below 500 feet AGL, the pilot flew toward a field, extended the landing gear, and landed with the gear in transit. The pilot stated that he did not have time to feather the left propeller. Engine disassembly revealed no significant discrepancies. Density altitude was 7,974 feet MSL.