(a) When any company shall petition according to the requirements of § 18-15-803, the county court, or the judge thereof in vacation, shall make an order appointing the jury immediately.
(b) In the order, the jury shall be directed to ascertain and report to the court or judge, within thirty (30) days from the date of their appointments, the value of any lands which, under the provisions of this subchapter, they may be directed to ascertain.
(c) The jury, before entering upon the discharge of their duties, shall take an oath that they will, as nearly as may be, ascertain the number of acres of land by them to be appraised, and report the numbers to the court or judge, together with the average value per acre of the land in cash.