46 CHILDREN'S GARDENS 



right side of the body the right hand is above the left. 

 The handle is grasped lightly. The hands well apart. 

 Reverse the hands when the rake is on the left side 

 of the body. 



To move soil or level it or scratch it deeply, hold 

 the rake handle nearly horizontal so the teeth point 

 down. Grasp the rake with the hands well apart. 

 Left hand in front of the right for right hand use. 



In teaching children to use the rake it is wise to 

 use those made of malleable iron because when they 

 are bent they can be straightened again easily and 

 without breaking. These are also much cheaper than 

 steel rakes. For smoothing the earth to obtain a very 

 fine surface use the back of the rake. Rake handles 

 should be marked for such measures as will be needed. 

 The best way is to burn rings on the handle, marking 

 inches and feet. 



Spading (right handed). In spading place the right 

 hand on top of the spade handle and the left hand be- 

 side it. Place the left foot on the foot rest and press 

 down firmly, using the weight of the body without 

 stamping. If the ground is hard the right corner of 

 the spade can be inserted first and the spade straight- 

 ened as it is pushed down. This will make the spade 

 go in much easier, just as it is easier to push the point 

 of a knife in.' When the spade has been pushed into 

 the ground to the depth of the blade, lean backward 

 on the handle until the spadeful of earth has been 

 broken loose, and while the body is bent over slide 

 the left hand down to within a few inches of the 



