there but bankruptcy, even though the disgrace of it prac- tically break him ?
A certain amount of _anetal respanaibilite js essential. When orders are shipped, the creditor wants to be able to
feel that settlement will be made, if hop voluntarl en rough process of law. Here again the credit man must be wary. Ticky and unprinci debtor, with a cer-
tain financial responsibility, must be watched carefully. His contracts, the terms, etc., should be clearly defined, and his credit should be limited decidedly, or even refused entirely.
. Physical fitness, education, personal appearance, the ap- pearance of the stock, Willingness to work,—all contribute
to ability. Hrequently one finds that a small merchant with ability bUt small assets meets his payments promptly, while his neighbor with a better rating is slower pay. ‘The ormer makes prompt collections, is able to Make quick turnovers, and probably gives the house a good deal of business, while the latter has not the ability for doing these same things. f. Local business conditions must not be ignored. For in- stance, entire sectons-of-tie-commry sometimes have suc- gosvive crop failures The farmer without a doubt is the et of business, although there are those who be- little the idea. Business is carried on primarily that man t and clothe himself, and when the source of the ies of life is injured by poor crops or low prices, s in general is affected. It is a common matter that tions where they have had successive crop fail-
