32 
BULLETIN 1466, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
Similarity of the percentage distribution of the value of goods, 
except fuel, for the three sets of data representing selected localities 
of the United States is one of the most striking things shown in 
Table 8. Another striking feature is' the similarity between the per- 
centage distribution figures for selected localities as shown for the 
two study units of the South. Here again the percentage distribu- 
tion for fuel is an exception. 
The value of food as brought out by the studies mentioned con- 
stitutes, roughly, from one-half to three- fourths of the value of all 
goods furnished. Use of the house is from one-fifth to something 
near two-fifths of the value of all goods. The value of fuel varies 
widely between a fortieth and a sixth of all family living furnished. 
A worth-while comparison of the distribution of the average 
values of all goods among the principal groups of goods used by 
families represented in two of the studies referred to in Table 8 is 
possible. In this, as well as in the preceding comparison, propoi 
lions or percentages of the total value of goods are of more signifi- 
cance than are " dollar's worths " of goods. Lapse of time, with 
subsequent changes in prices, makes any comparison of the values or 
costs of the different kinds of goods rather unsatisfactory. 
Comparison of the percentage distribution of goods among the 
principal groups of goods used by farm families of the three studies 
for which data are available are made in Table 9. As in Table 8, 
the data for this study are presented by sections, making possible 
more direct comparisons. 
Table 9. — Distribution of average value of goods used among the different 
groups of goods used per family during one year; 2,886 farm families of 
selected localities in 11 States in comparison with farm families of other 
localities for which data are available 
Goods used 
Total value 
Food including groceries . 
Clothing 
Kent 
Furniture and furnishing: 
Operation goods (fuel) 
Maintenance of health . _ . 
Advancement goods 
Personal goods... 
Insurance, life and health 
Unclassified. 
2,886 farm families of selected localities in 11 
States, 1922-1924 
All families 
all States 
$1, 597. 50 
317 families 
New Eng- 
land States 
$1, 692. 20 
1,130 fami- 
lies South- 
ern States 
$1, 551. 00 
1,439 fami- 
lies North 
Central 
States 
$1, 613. 20 
861 farm 
families of 
selected lo- 
calities of 
Kentucky, 
Tennessee, 
and Texas, 
1919 1 
$1, 436. 00 
402 farm 
families of 
Livingston 
County, 
New York, 
for year 
ended Aug. 
31, 1921 i 3 
$2, 012. 00 
Per cent of total 
41.2 
41.8 
44.6 
38.6 
44.0 
14.7 
13.1 
15.6 
14.4 
17.7 
12.5 
12.0 
10.1 
14.4 
9.7 
2.5 
2.1 
2.3 
2.7 
2.0 
13.3 
15.1 
12.5 
13.6 
12.0 
(5.3) 
(8. 2) 
(4.3) 
(5.5) 
(3.7) 
3.8 
3.6 
3.1 
4.5 
4.7 
6.6 
7.0 
6.7 
6.4 
5.9 
2.6 
3.0 
2.4 
2.6 
U.2 
2.6 
2.1 
2.5 
2.7 
2.6 
.2 
.2 
.2 
.1 
. 2 
39.5 
13.7 
11.6 
2.1 
15.8 
(7.4) 
4.1 
6.2 
2.4 
» 4.0 
.6 
i Relation Between the Ability to Pay and the Standard of Living Among Farmers. Dept. Agr. 
Bui. 1382. 1926. 
2 Family Living in Farm Homes. Dept. Agr. Bui. 1214, 1924. 
3 Percentages in this column differ from those given on p. 10, Dept. Agr., Bui. 1214, owing to 
reclassification of goods used in order to get more definite comparisons. 
4 May be low due to probable omission of some of the minor kinds of personal goods not enumerated in 
detail when records were obtained. 
5 Represents an average of approximately $15 per family reported as savings. 
