What unusual habits is Whitey said to have?

From the text:

"Tell you what," said the old swamper. "This here blacksmith - name of Whitey - was the kind of guy that would put that stuff around even if there wasn’t no bugs - just to make sure, see? Tell you what he used to do - At meals he’d peel his boil’ potatoes, an’ he’d take out ever’ little spot, no matter what kind, before he’d eat it. And if there was a red splotch on an egg, he’d scrape it off. Finally quit about the food. That’s the kinda guy he was - clean. Used ta dress up Sundays even when he wasn’t going no place, put on a necktie even, and then set in the bunk house."