Joe was also faced with the huge task of planting the potatoes that spring. His cousin, Bill, came to help him. Apparently, the eleven— year—old youngsters didn’t have a straight eye when it came to marking the drills. When the task was completed, the drills were as crooked as a ram’s horns. Later that summer, Jimmy MacPhee, the potato inspector, came to inspect the potatoes. He remarked that the crop had grown very well and looked good. Then he asked the big question, “Who made the drills when they were so crooked?” When Joe answered that he and Bill were the culprits, he laughed and said, “You have one thing in your favor because there will be no bugs on those potatoes this summer.” When Joe asked why, he replied, “Because the bugs would get dizzy going around the curves.” However, in fairness, Jimmy did pass the potatoes for seed that summer.

To supplement their income, Joe cut pulp and Pat helped to peel it. He also chopped hardwood and sold it to patrons in Souris. They managed to have pigs or a stack of hay to sell when a payment was due.

They were able to survive with the help of kind neighbours who came to their rescue when the need arose. There was a lack of money, but they never felt poor, for the thoughtfulness portrayed by their neighbours made life worthwhile.