I have inserted the word No. or number simply to show that 1 or 12, or whatever the number of frames or squares were, had to go in the second column, or where the dimension is put, the first column in all cases being kept for multiplying or "timesing" the number. No., therefore, in future is left out.

Take the run of architrave from the window nosing to the centre of mitre at head. This you can, if you choose, show on waste on the left hand of the pricing column: 7.2 7.2 3.10

------18.2

2/ 18.2 W. &2O. -------- (4" arc.)

It was usual to put the word "run " to a lineal dimension, but it is not necessary, the line close under, and no other dimension with it, shows clearly that it is a "run." The " over the four stand for inches, one dot for feet. The dots are not needed except where the figure stands alone, the 18.2 as a measurement for painting to 4 in. architrave is clear enough. Take the window nosings as a "run."

2/ 4.9 do. (nsg.)

----It will of course not be necessary to repeat each description. Where they are alike, use the word "do." Take the skirting on waste.

The measurer can, if he likes, dispense with the dots after the feet in the dimensions if there are no inches to follow, but he must carefully set them in the proper position then, so as not to confuse himself afterwards, thus :-

The 29 representing the superficial contents, the round of the room may be obtained for the measurement of this skirting from the length obtained for "paper," and then the door, chimney-piece, cupboard, etc, deducted; but I consider the above is clearer, and takes little, if any, more time. Take the front of cupboard and door in one; take the inside of door and four edges (two of them to frame); add two edges only on top, and then run of shelf edges.

There is usually a small deal cornice to a cupboard, but as the edges are all taken, the division by the 8 allows enough to cover this.

The word "lock" may be omitted if preferred, the word "rim" being sufficient.

The description of W. & 2 O. covers rubbing down, which must always be done to good work, and bringing forward bare parts also. The price must allow for this, which is not generally a great matter; where the work is in a very bad state, three coats are generally provided; where they are not, note the defective work.

The next part of the specification referring to this room is "repair the floors where necessary." This means nail or screw down (whichever done before) any loose boards, cut out any rotten or bad, i. e. split ones. The planing down of any inequalities, knots, etc, or the stopping of any wide or open joints, should not be provided for under this description ; write down:

Set the value on this work at once, and write it down in the money columns. The figures given are only put there to show their proper position, as I intend them to be : it will be necessary to calculate the time and material required, and add a profit, thus : Cutting out two pieces of rotten flooring and putting new pieces in, and nailing down one loose board -

This cost is not to be written down, but calculated mentally.

I should price this at 2s.

Repair. 19

"Put new beads to windows " is the next item to front large room.

Enter this in the following manner : -

Two oils extra will be required, being unpainted.

"Take off brasswork, relacquer, and refix it," is the next item.

This would apply to handles of door, the knob on cup-board door, and the sash fasteners.

"Put new back to stove " is the next.

The stove must be taken out to put the back in this, or a fireclay one formed without taking out.

"New stone shelf to chimney-piece in place of the one broken, make good after, and paint in good oil colour" is the next item in the specification.

Take the size of the stone, its kind, and describe the labour on it. Take the girt for painting.

The "waste" under 4 O shows how the painting is taken; 4' 9" the length of shelf, 1 1/2" the thickness of one end, 8" the projection out of wall, and 3/4" half the depth of front edge, as it has to be twiced; an experienced measurer would only book the first item, trusting to his memory in pricing the item, and write thus : -

The next item is "Put 3 1/2 in. by 1 in. deal beaded rail in the cupboards of two front rooms, and provide and fix four japanned double hat and coat hooks, the rail to be painted with four good coats of oil colour.

The width of the cupboard was 4 ft. as taken for the painting.

Now the back room immediately behind this front left-hand room, should be taken (there are four rooms on this floor, two large and two small); enter the name of the room small or large, back room L.H.; measure the wash, stop, clerecolle, and white to ceilings, as before; then take the run of walls (obtained as last from the dimensions of ceilings) for the paper, the height generally being the same to all rooms on one floor; then take the deductions as before (the price of the paper is the same throughout this storey) enter the M.G. to plastering and its value, then take the glazing as before, then the painting. The order of these things is the order in the specification.

"Repair the panels of door." The only effective way to

"repair " such things is to put new ones if they are broken badly ; if only split, they may be glued up and stopped, for it will be impossible to get them close up without taking the door to pieces ; if it is a moulded door the mouldings may be taken out, and the panels sawn out clear of the stiles and rails, and new one puts in skew-nailed, the mouldings being securely nailed first to the stiles, rails, and mullions, and then the panels nailed in, the other moulding being planted in, but it is not a good way of doing the work. Enter the item thus: 2/ 1 Take out broken panl. & put new 3' X 11" to s. f. dr.