The first survey of the CREP (Centre de Recherche Economique sur l'Epargne) was carried out in a non-representative sample of farmers. After describing the technique employed in order to observe and estimate the savings of farmers, the author gives an account of the results with regard to the economic behaviour of farm families and the evaluation of their financial needs. However, the period of observation — one year — is too short to make the survey completely satisfactory.