Broom i. Count? 123 



in this locality attracted the soldiers, and after the return of 

 peace they were not slow to take advantage of the opportunities 

 offered for settlement in the Susquehanna valley. It is stated 

 that 250 survivors of the Revolution came and made homes for 

 themselves and families in the region we now call Broome 

 County. 



The prosperity of the county was materially aided by the 

 improvement of transportation facilities for heavy and bulky 

 articles through the completion of the Chenango Canal, which 

 connected with the Erie Canal at Utica and made possible direct 

 communication with the settlements east and west. Fortunately 

 for commercial interests, the Albany and Susquehanna Railroad 

 was opened before the Chenango Canal was abandoned. 



DEVELOPMENT OF INDUSTRY 



The early settlers found lumbering as well as agriculture to 

 be a profitable industry. The rivers of Broome County were 

 famous waterways for log and lumber rafts. Saw mills were 

 numerous in many sections, and a large part of their products 

 were shipped down the river to markets in Pennsylvania and 

 Maryland. 



As the land was cleared it was turned to general agricultural 

 purposes, and the fine grazing lands were found to present excel- 

 lent opportunities for the raising of cattle and sheep. 



The present types of farming followed in Broome County may 

 be classed as general, dairy, and trucking for the local markets. 

 Most of the hill farmers keep live stock, including dairy cattle, 

 and derive their incomes chiefly from this source, but also from 

 the sale of potatoes, hay, and buckwheat, and occasionally from 

 fruits. On a considerable number of farms the receipts from 

 wholesale milk are the main sources of cash income. Besides the 

 milk consumed in the city and villages, considerable quantities 

 are sent out over the three railroad systems, chiefly to New 

 York City. 



In the river valleys truck farming is practiced on some of the 

 best soils, but the annual production of vegetables and fruits is 

 not sufficient to supply the local needs throughout the year. Most 



