If one were to believe the ads that appeared in the beginning of the settlement of the county telling of the wonderful land just waiting to be tilled and consequently would be on the way to fame and fortune. Unfortunately, this wasn't quite as easy as it was stated. Many forces had to be taken into consideration. First of which was the weather‑ ideal growing conditions with moisture at the right time as well as no moisture at the right time, with adequate sunshine or the right temperature, depending on the needs of that particular crop at that stage of growth are necessary for success. Efforts to change the moisture situation were tried with the use of irrigation. This worked fine in some areas but not in others.
Source: A History of Foster County 1983 Page 110