METHODS  OF  DOING  BUSINESS  225

might  have.  I  know  of  an  American  canoe
manufacturing  concern  advertising  its  wares
in  a  portion  of  the  Argentine  which  is  absolutely ­
  dry  and  without  navigable  water,  as  a
result  of  which  imported  bull  frogs  die  of  old
age  without  ever  having  a  swim.  It  therefore
behooves  one  to  make  a  full  and  exhaustive  investigation ­
  through  all  possible  sources  of  information, ­
  and  ascertain  if  one’s  goods  are
really  appropriate  for  these  lands.  Another
point  worthy  of  consideration  is  that  wares
especially  adapted  to  the  uses  of  some  countries ­
  may  be  totally  unfit  for  others.  Accurate ­
  preliminary  data  of  a  reliable  nature
may  generally  be  obtained  by  addressing  the
United  States  Consuls  located  at  the  various
seaports  of  the  Latin  American  countries.
These  gentlemen  are  especially  equipped  for
obtaining  all  the  information  necessary,  and
are  charged  by  the  United  States  Government
to  supply  complete  details  to  inquirers.
The  wisest  and  best  plan,  once  you  are  determined ­
  to  enter  these  fields,  is  for  one  of  the
heads  of  the  firm  or  one  of  the  leading  officers