[TheForge] Do clinkers and coal ashes help a dirt floor?

[Andy Vida]

Catherine Jo Morgan wrote:
> 
> Someone reminded me that blacksmiths traditionally sprinkle the clinkers
> and coal ash from the forge onto the floor before wetting it down. Does
> this work better than just wetting down the dirt? Or does it just give
> black dust instead of brown dust? I remember sprinkling the forge waste
> on the floor of the shop at the Folk School, but I don't remember if it
> really helped much.

	Yeah, basically the entire floor of the shop at Campbell
	is cinder. I think it makes a good floor.  Fire resistant,
	compliant, lower in dust as far as I can see, and seems to
	absorb water more readily than regular dirt floors, probably
	due to wider porosity?  Just a guess.

	I like cinder floors for the smithy.