BETUKNS. 115 



often brought into requisition, especially in the height of 

 the season. 



Once a week, at least, the shipper receives an account of 

 the week's sales, and a check for the net proceeds. This 

 latter is more specifically a return, although the word is 

 sometimes applied indiscriminately to reports and returns 

 This account shows the daily receipts and sales for tin 

 week ; the price obtained ; and the aggregate amount. 



From it are deducted all charges, including freights. 

 The balance is struck, and the check corresponds with 

 this balance. Neglect to render these returns promptly 

 is very annoying to planters and shippers, and very in- 

 jurious to the interests of consignees, as it produces dis- 

 content, destroys confidence, and ultimately ruins business. 



"EMPTIES. " 



" EMPTIES " are the baskets and crates after the fruit is 

 sold. We might almost as well restrict ourselves to baskets 

 alone, for in point of fact the crates never come back. 

 The return of " Empties " is a part of the business in 

 great and general confusion, and needs immediate and 

 radical reform. It is managed somewhat in this way : 

 When the fruit is sold to reshippers, as much of it is, they 

 furnish their own packages, into which it is placed from 

 the original baskets. These empty baskets are now 

 gathered up by the person charged with that special duty. 

 They are set one in another. If he is competent and faith- 

 ful, he will put every man's baskets in a separate bundle. 

 Each bundle will contain, as near as may be, twenty-five 

 baskets. These are tied tightly together by a strong 

 cord, passed from one end of the bundle to the other. A 

 card, with the owner's name and addiess, distinctly mark- 

 ed thereon, is then tied on the top basket ; but should 

 the card be omitted or torn off, the baskets ought to g 



