537. Farm Workers-Return a person who was in charge of a farm as a farmer, whether he owned the farm or operated it as a tenant or renter; but a person who managed a farm for someone else for wages or salary should be reported as a farm manager. A man who directed farm labor under the supervision of the owner, tenant, or manager should be reported as a farm foreman or a farm overseer; and a person who worked on a farm for someone else but not as a manager or foreman should be reported as a farm laborer.
538. A woman who operated a farm or plantation should be reported as a farmer; a woman who worked regularly for wages at outdoor farm or garden work, in the dairy, or in caring for livestock or poultry, should be returned as a farm laborer.
539. Unpaid Family Workers.-Enter in col. 28 the occupation, such as farm laborer, delivery boy, salesman, etc., of a member of a family who worked regularly without wages or salary in the family's farm, in a shop or store from which the family obtained its support, or on other work that contributed to the family income (not including home housework or incidental chores).
540. A person who worked regularly as an unpaid family worker on a farm should ordinarily be returned as a farm laborer.
541. Builders and Contractors.-Only persons who were engaged principally in obtaining building or other construction contracts and supervising their execution should be returned as builders or contractors. Craftsmen who work with their own tools should be returned as carpenters, plasterers, etc., and not as contractors.
542. Engineers.-Distinguish carefully the different kinds of engineers by stating the full descriptive titles, as civil engineer, electrical engineer, locomotive engineer, mechanical engineer, mining engineer, stationary engineer, etc.
543. Foremen and Proprietors.-In the case of a foreman or proprietor, always include in col. 28, with the entry foreman or proprietor, the specific craft or trade, if any, that the person pursues, as foreman-carpenter, foreman-electrician, proprietor-pharmacist, proprietor-tailor, etc.
544. The term "laborer" should be avoided if any more precise statement of the occupation can be secured. Employees in factories and mills, for example, usually have some definite designation, as weaver, roller, etc. Where the term "Laborer" is used, be especially careful to state accurately the industry or business in col. 29.
545. Avoid the use of the word "mechanic" whenever a more specific occupation can be given, such as carpenter, painter, electrician, etc. Automobile mechanic, however, is a satisfactory return.
546. Avoid the use of the word "clerk" wherever a more definite occupation can be named. Thus, an employee in a store who is wholly or principally engaged in selling goods should be called a salesman and not a "clerk." A typist, accountant, bookkeeper, cashier, etc., should be reported as such, and not as a "clerk." Do not return a stenographer as a "secretary." distinguish a traveling salesman from a salesman in a store.
547. Nurses.-In the case of a nurse, always specify whether she is a trained nurse, a practical nurse, or a child's nurse.