The list given is not intended to be in any sense so complete as to be a sufficient guide to work in all buildings. It is inserted. to illustrate the scheme often used in offices where the specification writer is somewhat unfamiliar with the work already laid out on the drawings. Practice differs so radically, and the range of building is so wide, that a comprehensive list, covering all the multiplicity of questions that arise in connection with buildings, would be cumbersome. But, following the lines above laid out, each specification writer can rapidly accumulate what he needs in his particular line; and the operation of seeking for new items of importance in practice will be a source from which much valuable information and experience will be obtained.

Practice for the Student. Before proceeding, the student should prepare a schedule along the lines suggested above, but specifying under each heading at least double the number of subitems mentioned.

He should also write a description of the character of work referred to by each heading, these descriptions each to contain approximately one hundred words. Below is given a brief description of the subject of "Heating," which will serve to illustrate the work the student should do:

HEATING

There are five principal methods of heating dwellings-namely, by fireplaces, by stoves, by furnaces, by steam boiler, and by hot-water boiler—all adapted to fuels in common use.

Fireplaces are suitable in mild climates, and to supplement more efficient apparatus in cold climates.

Stoves are the most economical, but are often objectionable fixtures. Furnaces deliver heated air to the various rooms, and are satisfactory for small buildings.

Steam and hot, water supply heat from radiators in each room. Steam responds more readily than hot water to variations in the size of the furnace fire, and should be used, therefore, when quick changes in temperature are desired. It should also be installed in the larger classes of buildings where it can be easily controlled.

Hot water should be used when an even temperature at all times is desired.

Use of Similar Specifications as Basis for Work. New problems are constantly arising which tax the ingenuity of even the experienced architect, and which necessitates new directions. Many building operations have requirements so unusual that any aid except that of general experience will be of little value. rule, however, good results will be achieved if the specification writer uses the written or printed specifications prepared previously for work of similar character, or the cards which record the separate items, and makes thereon the necessary changes, giving meanwhile careful and constant attention to the plans, and comparing frequently the plans and specifications. Before the drawings are sent out, the specifications should be carefully checked with the "specification reminder," to discover omissions. In work containing unusual or elaborate detail or intricate alterations, it will be easier to write out a new specification completely than to alter an existing one.

Final Steps in Preparation of Specification. The specification writer generally starts his work with the drawing hung on a wall or screen near by. With the plans closely in mind, he should block out the list of headings, forming a skeleton or general. synopsis of the whole. Then he should go through the different trades, checking, writing, and dictating, either following a card catalogue, taking a printed form or standard specification and filling in the blanks, or using an old specification and interlining the changes, which are then copied to form the complete document. Extra care must be taken to cover new and important points that are likely to be insufficiently studied. It will be found rather difficult to make an old form apply to a new building, without the use of too many general terms and "blanket clauses.'

Having made a thorough study of the subject, the specification writer may lay out his work under the following headings:

Under each general heading will come many and various subheads. Thus, for instance, under "GENERAL CONDITIONS," will be listed such items as "Material and Labor," "The Contractor," "The Architect," "Drawings and Specifications," "Details," "Time for Completion," etc.; under "EXCAVATION," "Preparation of Site," etc. Every aspect of the work should be included in the complete outline.

SPECIFICATIONS FOR SUBURBAN WORK

The following specification is given to show the method of writing a specification for a particular building. In every case the architect should consider every item necessary for the building and should write out exactly what is desired.

SPECIFICATIONS

FOR A COUNTRY HOUSE TO BE ERECTED FOR

GEORGE A. JONES, Esq.

AT RIDGEDALE, MISSOURI

Frank A. Bourne, Architect

GENERAL CONDITIONS

Materials and Labor. All materials and labor required for the complete execution of the work are to be of the best quality, unless otherwise provided, and are to be furnished in place by the Contractor. The Contractor is also to furnish all scaffolding, apparatus, etc.

Contractor. Personal superintendence is to be given by the Contractor to the work, and a competent foreman is to be at all times on the work. He is to lay out the work carefully, and shall be held responsible for any mistakes which he, or any one in his employ, or any of his subcontractors, may make.

He is to be responsible, also, for any accidents either to person or property, which may occur in connection with the execution of the work either directly or indirectly, for which otherwise the Owner might suffer.

He is to obtain all permits from the city officials required by ordinances; is to pay all fees for water supply, sewer connections, etc.; and is to follow all the requirements of the building laws, whether incorporated in this specification or not.

He is to be responsible for all materials, whether incorporated in the building or not, until the final acceptance of the work; and any damage there may be from any cause is to be repaired; or, if beyond repair, the damaged portion is to be replaced.

He is to keep the building fully insured; and all policies are to be so drawn that the loss, if any, is to be paid to the Owner as his interest may appear.

He is to provide such fences as may be required to protect adjoining property.

Architect. The Architect shall have charge of the work, and is to exercise such supervision as will enable him to determine whether the true spirit and intent of the drawings and specification is being carried out. If, in the exercise of this function, he finds that any employe of the Contractor is, through incompetence or wilfulness, a detriment to the work, he shall file with the Contractor definite charges; and, upon the filing of such charges, the Contractor shall discontinue the services of such employe in connection Iwith this work.

The Architect shall issue on the third of each month a voucher calling for ninety (90) per cent of the value of labor and material incorporated completely in place in the building on the first of the month, which voucher shall be honored on presentation to the Owner; but this clause will not require the Architect to include in the voucher the value of any material placed in the building which in his opinion does not meet the contract requirements.

The Architect shall be the interpreter of the intent and meaning of the drawings and specification, and his decision shall be final and binding on both Owner and Contractor.

Drawings and Specification. The drawings and specification are to be considered as co-operative; and the material or work called for by one and not indicated or mentioned in the other, is to be furnished and done as though fully treated in both.

If no figures or memoranda are given, drawings are to be accurately followed according to scale; but wherever there are figures or memoranda, these are to be followed instead of the scale, if there is a discrepancy.

Detail drawings shall be furnished of such portions of the work as the Architect may desire to explain more fully; and any work constructed without such drawings (except by permission expressly obtained), or not in accordance with them, must be taken down and replaced at the Contractor's expense.

No changes are to be made without a written order signed by the Architect; and the adjustment, whether allowance or extra expense, is to be made at that time.

Time for Completion. Work is to commence at once, and is to proceed with promptness and despatch.

Work is to be completed and building delivered to Owner six months after date of contract. Times of completion of the different parts are to be as follows, the time allowed in each case to be from date of signing contract.

(Month and day to be inserted in contract and specification for each period mentioned above)

EXCAVATION, GRADING, ETC.

(NOTE TO STUDENT.-For this part of the work it is of advantage to draw a lot plan. This should show the system of drainage, which, if not included in the Architect's drawings, is often not very satisfactorily studied or understood. This part of the work, however, often depends on local conditions or customs in different towns, and for that reason is not made a part of the general contract. The drainage and water supply are often taken care of by the city or town authorities, the pipe being carried either to the lot line or to the outside of the building wall. The Architect has to ascertain what the system is, and to write his specification accordingly.

A datum line (if not already given) should be established by the Engi

*For convenience in engineering operations, there is established in each locality a datum line-that is, a horizontal line passing through a certain fixed