GOVERNMENTAL WORE FOR COUNTRY LIFE 413 



determine the scope and execution of the project as 

 a whole. Drainage operations on the upper reaches 

 of the tributaries of this stream will most snrely 

 affect the interests of the cities adjacent to the lower 

 river; while if these municipal interests are to de- 

 termine the whole project, the drainage of the low- 

 lying overflowed lands above these municipalities is 

 directly affected. Drainage operations involving the 

 deepening of the channel of the Manistique or the 

 Taquemon, which will require extensive channeling 

 in solid rock, will involve a financial outlay doubt- 

 less beyond the means of local drainage districts to 

 provide. To meet the requirements of situations 

 such as these, and to prepare plans and specifications 

 for the larger drainage projects, apportion costs, ad- 

 just differences, and develop a comprehensive drain- 

 age system for the entire State with reference to the 

 general good, seems to l^e the proper function of a 

 state drainage department. Although its establish- 

 ment has from time to time been broached, as yet the 

 legislature has not taken the necessary action, unless 

 it may be considered to have been comprised in the 

 newly created departments of conservation or of 

 agriculture.'- 'i 



The glacial topography of Michigan, as indicated 

 in Chapter I, has created large tracts of land which 

 can only be recovered to agricultural uses through 

 artificial drainage. It is estimated that there are 



' See Miller and Simons : "Drainage in IMichigan," Lan- 

 sing, 1918, 58ff. This monograph was prepared with spe- 

 cial view to the information of the legislature (session of 

 1919) which was expected to consider this subject. 



