Domestic Encyclopædia (1802)/Saw-dust

SAW-DUST, is the coarse powder remaining after any wood or timber has been separated or cut asunder with a saw. It is frequently employed as a substitute for sand, and strewed on the floors of public and other buildings, frequented by numerous persons. This dust likewise affords good fuel for heating ovens, in which bread and other substances are to be baked.—We understand, from gardeners, that if the fresh dust, obtained after sawing oak-timber, be scattered on gravel-walks in February, or at an early period in March, it effectually prevents the growth of weeds: and, if it be perfectly rotten, together with blood and quick-lime, it proves an excellent manure.

The saw-dust of fir and pine-trees contains a very large proportion of resinous and saponaceous matter; so that it has been usefully employed by the country-people of Sweden and Norway, as a substitute for soap, in washing coarse linen.