148 THE AFTER TREATMENT OF NURSERY STOCK 



when transferring to the storage sheds, the placing of the 

 wrong label when the grading is done, clerical errors in the 

 accounting department, and again, possible mistakes in the 

 rilling of the orders are just a few of the things that worry 

 the manager of a nursery. Also the knowledge that any 

 of these errors may be interpreted as criminal carelessness 

 contributes no small amount to his troubles. 



In this connection only a few of the fundamental prin- 

 ciples involved can be cited. Order blanks, sufficient for 

 the needs of most orders are sent out with each catalog. 

 Full and detailed instructions are given wherever possible. 

 When the order is received by the company it is copied 

 in triplicate and a copy returned to the buyer. This 

 passes as an acknowledgment and a receipt of the order. 

 The buyer is further instructed to examine the copy and if 

 it is not as desired to report at once. The original is sent 

 to the order clerk ; where it is filled, boxed up and made ready 

 to ship when the proper season arrives. When the goods 

 are shipped the original copy goes with the bill of lading 

 for the buyer's use in comparing with the order. The 

 third copy is kept in the office of the company for refer- 

 ence in case any mistake is made. 



In spite of all these precautions errors will appear, and 

 the buyer having little idea of the magnitude of the business 

 often becomes caustic in his letters of inquiry. He creates 

 countless trouble for the company by failing to mention 

 the number on the order or to explain just what is missing. 

 It often becomes necessary to sort out the comp^inant's 

 order from fifty thousand others on the name and address 

 alone. Then the company has to write back to ask just 



