6 THE I \IPROVE.\fE.VT OF RIVERS. 



by acts appropriating a lump sum for work of a certain character, or a limited sum for 

 tptpfftfl improvements, or by the authorization of contracts to be entered into for definite 

 amounts, only portions of which as a rule become immediately available, leaving the 

 ""M^T for future legislation, which, by the first act, is virtually guaranteed. The 

 latter ijilmii has in recent years been widely applied, and is known as the "Continuing 

 Contract System." 



