DRAINAGE DISTRICTS. 203 



distribution of the entire expense connected -with the 

 construction and maintenance of the projected work. 



This is one of the most delicate matters involved in 

 cooperative drainage, since there are many different 

 opinions among landowners and others concerning the 

 proper distribution of cost, the judgment of some 

 interested parties being frequently biased by personal 

 considerations. It may be asserted with truth that the 

 classification of land for this purpose, even when made 

 with the utmost care and good judgment, will be open 

 to just criticism from some point of view. 



Each of the following principles should have a value 

 in the classification of land in a drainage district : 



Each landowner is entitled to such natural drainage 

 as his land possesses by right of ownership. If his 

 land is so situated that he can thoroughly drain it into 

 channels provided by nature without crossing his neigh- 

 bor's land in the construction of drains he should not 

 be required to assist in carrying out a plan of coopera- 

 tive drainage, except on the ground that the proposed 

 work will promote the public health or enhance the 

 general value of property in the community. 



Each landowner may drain his land as he chooses 

 provided he does it within the boundary of his own 

 possessions, into an outlet channel provided by nature. 



A tract of land which is wet and practically useless for 

 agricultural purposes should be assessed proportionally 

 higher if reclaimed by the drainage system than that 

 which has better natural drainage. 



A tract which lies distant from a natural outlet should 

 be taxed higher than one lying near, provided both 

 receive the same drainage advantages. This obtains 



