iv PREFACE. 
Whatever its faults, I can claim for the present work at 
least a thoroughly practical character. Most of the arrange- 
ments described I have, myself, carefully tried and tested, 
in many cases several times, and in all conclusions arrived 
at as to the respective value of different systems, I have 
been guided by actual and careful trial only. 
In conclusion, I trust that if not of any great value to the 
professional builder, the work now put forth will, at least, 
prove of assistance to the immense army of amateurs whose 
desires in this direction greatly exceed their knowledge of 
the subject, and who wish to make the sum they have to lay 
out go as far as it possibly can. 
B. C. RAVENSCROFT. 
Laxty, I.0.M., 
30th March, 1901. 
