12,030. Are you engaged in the fish-curing business yourself to any extent?-I do not cure fish now. At one time, about twenty or twenty-five years ago, I cured fish, and had some small vessels, but I don't do anything in that way now at all.
12,031. You say your transactions are mostly for ready money?- Yes, mostly.
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12,032. But I suppose you have some accounts when you have a customer that you can trust?-Yes.
12,033. And with him, as you said, you settle every year?-Yes.
12,034. Are there many of these accounts in your business?- There may be some hundreds of them; I cannot say how many.
12,035. Does not every one of your customers open an account in that way?-Not every one; perhaps not above one-third of them.
12,036. You have an annual settlement with them?-When we get an annual settlement, we consider that to be very good. Sometimes it does not come up to that; but we would like it every three months if possible.
12,037. Are many of your transactions settled by means of barter?-Not many.
12,038. In what way is that system of barter carried on with you? Is it by the purchase of eggs and other produce?-Yes; eggs are looked upon as money. We make no difference upon the price of our goods whether they are paid for in eggs or money. With regard to hosiery, our trade is a mere nothing. I think would cover all that I buy in the year.