Inter-regional trade debts are usually handled in a somewhat different manner. Sellers of goods (goods, wares, merchandise, or agricultural products, including live stock), such as manufacturers and jobbers, may have their accounts paid in one of three ways. They may, as has been the general practice in the United States since the Civil War, simply sell to their customers on open account, depending on each customer to discharge his obligation at the expiration of some specified period, as thirty, sixty, or ninety days. Under such circumstances the only evidences of indebtedness in the possession of the seller are the entries on his books, the correctness of which, if dispute should arise, it may be difficult to prove. The Federal Reserve banking system, however, provides for trade acceptances, which differ from open accounts. In addition to charging the buyer with the amount of his bill, the seller sends him a trade acceptance bearing certain specified promises previously agreed on, which the buyer formally accepts by signing it. The acceptance now possesses all the characteristics of a promissory note, which the holder (seller) may discount at his bank or at the Federal Reserve Bank. Trade acceptances are recognized by business men as being superior to open accounts. They relieve sellers from the necessity of carrying undue risk, increase the borrowing power of creditors, make commercial accounts more liquid, and compel buyers to meet their obligations at maturity.