Martha’s Hens Paid Her College Fees

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 7169, 17 March 1930, Page 5

Martha’s Hens Paid Her College Fees

INDIANA GIRL’S IDEA. ... : When Mary went to school one .day shq. was accompanied by her ' famous lamb,, but. Mart ha May Smith, ah Indiana farm girl, went the legendary - . Mary “one better.” When Martha May came to Taylor University, she brought along a whole flock of’ 150 White Leghorn hens.

The hens, unlike the lamb, proved useful. Installed in a remodelled poultry house, ..they’re busily laying the “golden” eggs that are financing Martha May ’s education. And although the young woman is studying music, she probably -finds the barnyard' symphonies cackled by her profit-making hens as-satisfying as the classics heard in the classroom. This unique way of paying for -an'

education was conceived when May Martha’s father, Omer Smith, a Wayne County farmer, spied an abandoned poultry house in Upland. Why not ■help his 17-year-old daughter . realise her musical ambitions by giving her some of his fine flock of 1500 hens, since he couldn’t give- her sufficient money? The idea was tried and is proving successful.

The poultry house was .rented- for 2$ dollars a month, and made ready to receive its new tenants. ■ Martha May came to school and) with her, 150 hens. She takes good care of them and, during the first two months, the flock- repaid her by producing 80 dollars clear profit. - •• •' -tv;

This novel way of financing an education adapts itself to any college'town it is said, since there is always - a demand for good fresh eggs at a good price. The job lasts throughout the college year and may bo discontinued during the summer. So when going to school, : Martha May advises, take hen* —uut-tio

lamb.” ■.The"heihs pay .b-eitter. . Cluck! Cl uckl..- .■ > ; '• . .. t