CofC folk wisdom and sayings...

[KLP]

Yes, start saving for the hard winter now instead of waiting like the grasshopper

[Ivy]

What comes to my mind is that a crew cut means it takes longer for hair to grow out, which means you don't need to have haircuts as frequently, which costs less if you go to a professional hair cutter. Hence, preparing for a harsh winter when money will be tight.

Now that I think back, it could have meant that one or all of the boys had head lice or ringworm. All the hair had to go.