Recent statistics point out that there are more cows in Madison County than people. This may be a rather dubious distinction but folks around that area seem to like it that way. 'Twas not always so. There was a time, and that not too long ago, when the leading business of the Chenango Valley and environs was the growing of hops. In the late 1800's the hop industry, which was started in Madison, New York was making farmers and dealers alike, rich one year and poor the next, depending on supply, demand and more particularly, speculation. Just to keep his hand in, Carl Biederman still keeps a few poles of hops growing.

Photo is undated.

Photo measures 10 x 8 inches.