As soon as this first layer of plaster of paris had set a second layer of plaster was applied. This was mixed to a reasonably thick consistency and before it had time to set, a previously prepared piece of wet hessian scrim, cut slightly under size, was applied to the fresh paster mix and pressed into it. As this second plaster/scrim layer was setting a final layer of thick plaster mix was applied. Care was taken to ensure that where possible the plaster mix was poured to cover the exposed edges of the Roman mortar.