AbstractsLaw & Legal Studies

"In the early days farmers attempted to drain their land individually, but they soon found that water did not recognize property lines. One farmer would ditch his land only to find that the water from his neighbor's farm would wash over has land and fill up his ditches. Another would attempt to ditch his land, but would find that no outlet was available for his ditch unless he constructed it across the land of his neighbor. Because of such situations, groups of farmers cooperated in constructing drainage improvements. However, difficulty was encountered in reaching an agreement as to the division of costs, the location of ditches, and the method of construction. As a result, many cooperative enterprises failed and state laws were enacted so that the drainage enterprises might be governed and the costs distributed" – Introduction, p. 5.