Section 4. Parties desirous of partition to apply to Collector in writing.

When any one or more of the recorded proprietors of an estate, as described in the last preceding section, shall desire to have his or their shares of the estate separated, in order that he or they may hold the same as a separate property, or as separate properties, such proprietor or proprietors shall make a written application for the purpose to the Collector of the District. Any two or more proprietors may apply to have their shares separated, and to hold the same as a joint estate