Twenty years ago our present Secretary of Agriculture, Hon. James Wilson said: “One-third of the lands of this state (Iowa) would be greatly benefited by being under-drained. A considerable portion is useless without it. Great inconvenience is endured by every farmer in cultivating because of wet places. A thorough draining of Iowa would surely add one-third to the productive powers, and this is better for the farmers than adding one-third to their lands.”