154 FARM DEVELOPMENT 



drainage, and after having made a plan of the drains, 

 estimate its cost and apportion the cost to the various 

 persons interested. In some cases the apportionment 

 of the cost is left until the drains are complete and the 

 actual cost is known. The apportionment of the entire 

 cost is made among all the farmers in proportion to their 

 respective benefits. In rare cases the construction of a 

 large drain injures a portion of the land through which 

 it passes, and in such cases damages may be allowed. 

 In cases where individual landowners feel that they 

 have been assessed for more than their just share of 

 the cost of the drains, they may appeal to the board of 

 county commissioners for a reduction. In case of fail- 

 ing to receive what they consider justice, they may appeal 

 to the proper court, which, upon hearing both sides, 

 makes its decision as to the actual amount of the total 

 expense which the appealing landholder shall be re- 

 quired to pay. 



As a rule, the board of county commissioners has 

 charge of the construction of the drain. They may 

 revise the plan of the engineer, readjust the findings of 

 the viewers, as to the boundaries of the drainage district 

 and as to the proportion of assessment against each 

 benefited landholder. In many counties the boards of 

 county commissioners issue bonds with which to pay 

 the expenses of the drainage, and when the drain is 

 completed, require the proper county officer to assess 

 the entire cost of the drain upon the owners of the 

 benefited land. Where the drain is constructed under 

 a contractor the board of .county commissioners appoints 

 the county engineer or some other competent person to 

 superintend the work of the contractor, under a properly 

 written contract and specifications, that the work may be 

 thoroughly carried out. In many counties the board of 

 commissioners employs a superintendent of construction 

 and supplies him with laborers and materials. In some 



