Martin's snail stable...

Ten-year-old Martin Witter watches two snails from his
'team' go through their rounds during a trial race in his
home in Lynwood, Calif., Oct. 1, 1954. Martin has formed,
what he claims to be, the only snail stable in the country.
Every afternoon the snails are awakened for their trial runs
by being placed in the sun. As the sunshine begins to
penetrate their shells, the mollusks come to life. On top
of the racing snail's shell, Martin has glued a tiny yoke made
from a matchstick. The reins, made of string, are connected
to a small simulated Roman chariot constructed from a
fish-food tin in which the snail-driver sits. Speedy, in the
harness and Butch, in the 'Chariot' recently beat a
neighborhood entry establishing a new track record of
3 feet in 5 minutes.
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