At the time and place fixed for determining the compensation for an applicant’s right, privilege, and easement, the court shall proceed immediately to try said matter, without a jury, if the parties consent. If they do not consent and if the time and place fixed for said hearing is at a general or special term of said court where a petit jury has been summoned, the court shall proceed to a hearing of such matter with a jury. In case said proceedings are made returnable at any time other than at a term where a petit jury shall have been summoned, the court shall make an order requiring the selection of twenty-four jurors. Such jury shall be drawn and selected in the manner provided by law for the drawing of jurors for general terms of the district court. From the jurors so returned, a jury shall be selected the same as in civil actions and the trial shall proceed after the manner of trials in civil actions.