Part II.]



Contract and Purchase.
In a specification of the buyer, it is generally inexpedient to de-
scribe the details of workmanship or the methods to be therein pursued,
nnless on the basis of a full knowledge of the subject ; for the mis-
takes or discrepancies which are likely to result will afford room for
disputes and evasions. It is much better in such a case to describe
as clearly as possible the ultimate object in view, and in general terms
the quality that is desired, thus putting upon the contractor the re-
sponsibility of doing what is evidently demanded. The force of such
general terms is weakened by adding detailed instructions, unless the
the latter be very complete, because their presence in regard to some
parts implies that the contractor is to look to the specification for in-
structions, and that, where absent, no particular methods are desired.
But there are cases where the opposite plan is preferable. Thus,
there may be some article which can only be tested by long use, and
any composition or method of manufacture which has proved best in
the past may be prescribed with advantage. The alloy for an engine-
shaft bearing, or for pump-barrels, is sometimes specified with
much minuteness where seemingly more important parts are left to
the manufacturer.
The advantage to the buyer of affording a full knowledge to the
seller of what he will be called upon to do under an anticipated con-
tract is so well understood by those experienced in such transactions,
that much trouble and expense are frequently bestowed on the calcu-
lations beforehand of the scope or extent of a coming undertaking.
