CHILDREN'S GARDENS 17 



as much as possible in doing work. When a person 

 has learned to do this in spading, the work becomes 

 much less tiring. Whenever one bends lower over a 

 task than is necessary, he puts more strain upon cer- 

 tain muscles of the back, and usually this strain is 

 constant and unrelieved by motion. The taller the 



Photos by the Author 



Uncomfortable. Severe strain. Easy position. No strain. 

 Loss of energy Economy of energy 



person the greater the strain, and a continued effort 

 is much more tiring than an intermittent effort. Such 

 positions should be avoided when possible. In spad- 

 ing, one may remain bent over much of the time, or, 

 one may bend only during the lifting of the spadeful, 

 and remain straight two-thirds of the time. 



In many other tasks in life a change of position at 

 work; as sitting in a lower chair, or having a higher 

 or lower table or desk to sit or stand at; or squatting 

 instead of bending over, will very much relieve un- 

 necessary strain upon the back, and all that is un- 



