BULLETIN OF THE 
IPEPMMIOFAfflC 
No. 236 
Contribution from the Office of Markets and Rural Organization 
Charles J. Brand, Chief. 
May I, 1915. 
A SYSTEM OF ACCOUNTS FOR 
FARMERS' COOPERATIVE ELEVATORS. 
By John R. Humphrey, Assistant in Cooperative Grain Elevator Accounting, and 
W. H. Kerr, Investigator in Market Business Practice. 
CONTENTS. 
Introduction 1 
Types of elevator accounting systems 2 
Office equipment 2 
Taking an inventory 2 
Auditing the books 3 
Hedging 4 
Insurance of elevators 4 
Description of the Office of Markets and 
Rural Organization grain elevator account- 
ing system 4 
Instructions for operating the system 8 
Conclusion 20 
Blank forms Nos. 1 to 15, beginning at 20 
INTRODUCTION. 
The rapid growth of the business of cooperative grain elevators 
has emphasized the importance of adequate accounting systems. 
It has been realized that the adoption of a uniform system suffi- 
ciently comprehensive to accommodate itself to the conditions pre- 
vailing in the grain-producing States would be a step in advance. 
This bulletin describes a grain elevator accounting system which 
has been devised by the Office' of Markets and Rural Organization 
and which is now being used by representative elevators in seven of 
the leading grain-producing States. 
In drawing up the various forms comprising this system reference 
has been made to many other systems now in operation. A first- 
hand study of conditions existing in the elevator business has like- 
wise had a bearing on the final form of this system. 
Note.— This bulletin is intended for all farmers 7 cooperative and other elevators throughout the United 
States. It contains copies of forms and a description of their uses for a system of accounts which is being 
recommended by the Office of Markets and Rural Organization, United States Department of Agriculture, 
as a uniform system for farmers' cooperative elevators. 
°— Bull. 236—15 1 
