The vast prairies of Illinois intimidated frontier settlers who arrived here in the early 1800's. Pioneers worried about horrendous grass fires, bitter winter winds, scarcity of water, and deadly fumes seeping from the ground. Early settlers gradually learned, however, that the prairie soil was safe and highly fertile. With the advent of the steel plow and the use of clay drainage tile, the prairies became prized land for agriculture. Today's farmers continue to produce abundant grain crops on the Illinois prairie.