University of Virginia Library

Directions for Making Roman Cement

Roman Cement,

NO. 55 SMITH'S WHARF, BALTIMORE.

Directions for using the Roman Cement, in making Tanks, Cisterns, Drains, Ponds, Docks,
the Fronts of Wharves, Vaults, Sewers, and every kind of Brick and Stone Work, in which
Strength is required, or where Wet or Damp are to be excluded.

AFTER the bricks or stones upon which the Cement is to be applied, have been well soaked
with water, (which is necessary to make it adhere firmly,) mix the Cement as quickly as
possible, with as much water as will make it of the consistency of mortar; much water spoils
it. Mix no more at once than can be used in a few minutes, otherwise it will set, and become
unfit for use. Lay it on with as little handling as possible, and leave it the instant it begins to
set.

STUCCO,

For facing Brick Fronts, equal in appearance and durability to stone-work, and which
effectually preserves the walls from damp, is made by mixing equal quantities of Cement
and sharp sand that has been washed clean, and thoroughly dried; use it with water in the
manner above directed, making it into a thick paste, keeping the wall as wet as possible all
the time--Be careful not to use lime with it. If the sand is not perfectly dry, it must not be
added to the Cement until mixed for immediate use. Lay the Stucco on in one coat, not less
than three quarters of an inch thick; to give it a good key, the joints of brick work must
previously be raked. The effect of stone-work may be given by drawing joints on the Stucco,
and by coloring it when dry with a wash composed of one gallon of water, four ounces of
copperas, and as much fresh lime and Cement, or umber, or ochre, as will produce the
colour required, and may at any future time be repeated; giving the building a new
appearance at a very trifling expense.

This Stucco forms an excellent flooring and facing for the inside of walls in the basements
of buildings, and secures them from damp. If a very wet situation, lay it on the outside.

A yard square of plain surface, in plastering, takes about half a bushel of Cement, mixed
with an equal proportion of Sand. Be careful that the building is settled before the Cement is
applied. It is often used in pointing tiles, chimney stacks, filleting, &c. for setting ridge tyles
and chimney pots. It must be kept quite dry, and as free as possible from the air, to preserve
its hardening quality.

For Stuccoing either old or new buildings, to produce the effect of Stone.--As this Cement
will set under water as well as above, and stand even the action of the sea, it is used with the
greatest success in every species of Water Works, for pointing fronts of Wharves, Docks or
Bridges, and in making Reservoirs, Baths, Vats, Cisterns, &c. or in any situation where wet
or damp is required to be kept out. Flat Roofs and Gutters may be made to answer all the
purposes of Lead, at one fourth the expense.

Directions for using the Cement for Stuccoing.

Mix an equal quantity of Cement and sharp river Sand, with clean water, to the consistency
of a thick Paste--apply it immediately on the Walls, hand-floating it in the usual way of
plastering.

Rake out the Joints, cleanse the Walls from any former Stucco, and make them as wet as
possible, all the time it is being laid on.

Particular attention is required to use a clean, sharp Sand, not to make the Stucco too thin
with Water, nor to mix more than can be used in ten minutes. After it has once set, it will not
be fit for use again.

No Lime must be used with the Cement.

For every purpose of plastering, the Cement or Stucco should not be laid on less than three
quarters of an inch thick.

It may be coloured when finished, with a wash to produce the effect of Portland or any other
Stone desired.

A cask will Stucco about 12 yards.

When the Cement is used for BRICK WORK UNDER WATER, or to keep out Damp, no Sand
is to be mixed with it, but worked genuine instead of common Mortar.

To make a pail-full of Wash, for colouring Cement.

Take 1-4 lb. Russian Tallow, (or Tallow without Salt,)

• 2 oz. Green Copperas,


• 3 oz. Alum,


• 2 oz. Oil of Vitriol,


• 1 quart of Milk,

To which add about a quart of Beer Grounds, and the remainder of Water, with a sufficiency
of Lime to bring it to the consistency of common White-wash; if thicker, it is liable to peel
off. It is usual to lay on a first coat of this wash, afterwards bringing it to any shade of color
required, according to the Stone, or the fancy of the country, by the addition of Umber, Red
or Yellow Ochre, Blue, Black, &c.; and after a second coat is laid on, (the first being dry,)
the work may be finished by tinting or shading with the above colors, to give as much as
possible the various shades of Stone, imitating either New or Old Portland, Granite,
Yorkshire, Purbeck, &c.

This CASK must be kept quite dry, and not opened till the contents are to be used, as
exposure to the Air will totally destroy the hardening quality of the Cement.

D (printed), 1p, ViU:PP. Andrew Smith sent this circular to Brockenbrough on 1 June 1821.
At the top of the page Smith wrote "For Sale by Andw Smith, Richmond, Virga." and
Brockenbrough's docket on the verso reads "Roman cement Directions for using."