1. It shall be the duty of every corporation or person owning or operating any railroad or branch thereof in this state to keep the right-of-way reasonably clear of brush and high weeds, by cutting, burning, chemical spraying, plowing under, or other appropriate means for the purpose of preventing the spread of fire, and in case such corporation or person shall fail or neglect to do so, any person owning land adjoining such railroad is hereby authorized, after giving three days’ notice, in writing, to such owner or operator of the railroad, by service upon any person authorized to receive service of legal process on behalf of the corporation within this state to cause such brush and high weeds upon the right-of-way occupied by the railroad company to be cut and removed, burned, plowed, or sprayed with chemical material for killing such brush and high weeds in front of and adjoining his land, and such landowner may maintain an action against the corporation or person so failing to perform this duty, in any court of competent jurisdiction, and shall be entitled to recover double the amount of all expenses and damages incurred and accruing thereby, together with costs.

2. It shall be the duty of every corporation or person owning or operating any railroad or branch thereof in this state to maintain the right-of-way at public grade crossings so that it will be reasonably clear of vegetation, undergrowth or other debris for a distance of two hundred fifty feet each way from the near edge of such crossings where such things would materially obscure approaching trains from the view of travelers on the highway.