summer to buy their staples. Then too, they enjoyed discussing the news and happenings of the day in their neighbourhood store. Fire destroyed this store twice, but the MacPhersons carried on in their home until a new store was built. After Mr. MacPherson 's death in 1951, his son Joe carried on the business until in 1966 he sold to Victor McKarris . He in turn sold to Sam Rashed , the present owner, who operates under the name Clover Farm Store . Farming At one time Southport boasted a thriving agriculture. There were many small family-farm operations in the community, mostly mixed farms, grow¬ ing crops for their own livelihood and selling the surplus. Dairy herds pro¬ duced milk for sale in Charlottetown , but farmers were reluctant to put all their eggs in one market basket. A variety of vegetables was grown in the hope that if one crop was poor another would compensate for it. In the earlier years of the century, Southport displayed (in common with other parts of the Island) a great sense of community and a closeness among farmers. The people shared whatever equipment they had, and pooled their knowledge. Harvesting usually brought several farm families together; one man owned a grain thresher, so he helped the other farmers in exchange for their help on his farm, or some other commodity taken in trade. Still, farmers maintained a staunch individualism, and a pride in their work. Horses were an essential part of the farm, and a good team of draft horses was prized. Of necessity the farms were small compared to today, and every family member shared in the work. In the early 1940s the first tractors appeared, marking a change in farm and community life. A man could do more with a tractor, and gradually the more mechanized system of farming took over. Horses were still part of the farm, but their role diminished. With more and better machinery there was more free time for families to take up other interests. The small farms soon couldn't provide a living for the whole family, so many farm sons went away in search of opportunities. Also, they had time for greater education, and the lure of Charlottetown and urban areas fur¬ ther afield was strong. Many found that industrial money was good com¬ pared to the ups and down of farming, and the hours weren't as long. 19