Siehr recommends very highly the use of sawdust in mortar as superior
even to hair for the prevention of cracking and subsequent peeling off
of rough casting under the action of storms and frost. His own house,
exposed to prolonged storms on the seacoast, had patches of mortar to
be renewed each spring, and after trying without effect a number of
substances to prevent it, he found sawdust perfectly satisfactory. It
was first thoroughly dried and sifted through an ordinary grain sieve
to remove the larger particles. The mortar was made by mixing 1 part
cement, 2 lime, 2 sawdust, and 5 sharp sand, the sawdust being first
well mixed dry with the cement and sand.
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SUINT FOR WATERPROOFING FABRICS.--A German chemist has patented the
waterproofing of finely woven fabrics, linen, cotton, etc., by means
of suint composition. He adapts his method to securing the suint to
wool-washing establishments at a small cost.
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