FAMILY LIVING IN FARM HOMES. i 
der more -definite heads, so that the unclassifiable items may 
epresent a very small proportion of the total except in the case of 
some emergency. 
__ In most cases, however, there are involved no principles so vital 
that the classification of the more doubtful items in one way or 
another is a matter of great importance. The trouble comes from 
_ the fact that there is as yet no general agreement and consequently 
“no assurance that the classifications used in various studies give 
_ really comparable results. The one here suggested has been worked 
out with the followimg considerations in mind: Logical relation of 
_ the items as they affect the standard of living, usage of other reliable 
_ workers, and practical necessities of schedules and tabulation sheets. 
_ The main heads are shown in the following list, together with the 
_ subdivisions for the groups in which usage is most varied. 
ied 
: SUGGESTED CLASSIFICATION OF FAMILY GOODS. 
_ 1. Food. 
_ 2. Clothing (costs include sewing, dry-cleaning, and pressing). 
_ 3. Housing (costs include taxes, insurance, improvements, repairs, and deprecia- 
: tion; ten per cent of total value of house may be used as annual cost of rent.). 
4. Furnishings and equipment (costs include repairs). 
Bedding and household linens. 
Cleaning equipment: Brooms, brushes, carpet sweepers, vacuum cleaners, 
ete. 
Curtains, portieres, and window shades. 
Floor coverings: Carpets, rugs, linoleum, etc. 
Furniture: Beds, including springs and mattresses, chairs, sofas, tables, etc. 
Gas engines (portable). 
Kitchen utensils, including electrical appliances for cooking purposes, can- 
ning equipment, and the like. 
Lamps. 
Laundry equipment: Washing machines, wringers, irons, ironing boards, 
etc. 
Musical instruments. 
Pictures and ornaments. 
eabaey equipment: Machine, cutting table, dress form, etc. 
toves. 
Tableware: China, glass, silver, cutlery. 
5. Operation. 
Automobile (costs include license, tax, operation, repairs, and depreciation 
at 15 per cent of value at beginning of year; after all costs are computed 
what appears a reasonable proportion of the total, say 25, 40, or 50 per cent, 
may be attributed to household use; the cost of the car when used for 
vacation trips should be computed separately and placed under advance- 
ment). 
Fuel, including gas and electricity, for heat, light, and power. 
Household labor (hired). 
Insurance on furnishings and equipment. 
Laundry work done outside. 
Postage, express, freight, drayage. 
Travel by bus, trolley, and train in connection with family and household 
business. 
Supplies for cleaning, laundry, and miscellaneous purposes: Soap, matches, 
paper, tacks, etc. 
Telephone (proportion of total cost chargeable to all household uses). 
Water (proportion of total cost chargeable to all household uses). 
6. Maintenance of health. 
Doctors’, dentists’, oculists’, nurses’, and hospital services. 
Medicines. 
Eyeglasses. 
Travel to hospitals or for treatments. 
