Section 13(b)(14) expressly provides that an establishment commonly
recognized as a country elevator, within the meaning of the exemption,
includes ``such an establishment which sells products and services used
in the operation of a farm.'' This language makes it plain that if the
establishment is ``such an establishment,'' that is, if its functions
and attributes are such that it is ``commonly recognized as a country
elevator'' but not otherwise, exemption of its employees under this
section will not be lost solely by reason of the fact that it sells
products and services used in the operation of a farm. Establishments
commonly recognized as country elevators, especially the smaller ones,
not only engage in the storing of grain but also conduct various
merchandising or ``sideline'' operations as well. They may distribute
feed grains to feeders and other farmers, sell fuels for farm use, sell
and treat seeds, and sell other farm supplies such as fertilizers, farm
chemicals, mixed concentrates, twine, lumber, and farm hardware supplies
and machinery. (See Tobin v. Flour Mills, 185 F. 2d 596; Holt v.
Barnesville Elevator Co., 145 F. 2d 250). Services performed for farmers
by country elevators may include grinding of feeds, cleaning and
fumigating seeds, supplying bottled gas, and gasoline station services.
As conducted by establishments commonly recognized as country elevators,
the selling of goods and services used in the operation of a farm is a
minor and incidental secondary activity and not a main business of the
elevator (see Tobin v. Flour Mills, supra; Holt v. Barnesville Elevator
Co., supra).
