This section is from the book "Cyclopedia Of Architecture, Carpentry, And Building", by James C. et al. Also available from Amazon: Cyclopedia Of Architecture, Carpentry And Building.
With the topping out of the chimneys the mason, who in suburban work is quite likely to be the plasterer as well, should turn his attention to the back plastering if there is to be any. This is done in several ways, a common method being to nail strips to the sides of the studs and to lath upon these, plastering the whole surface between the studs with a rough coat of plaster. (Fig. 30 a.)
Care must be taken to bring the mortar well out on the studs and even then, when the studs shrink, there may be a continuous crack along the side of the stud from top to bottom. This, if it occurs, will defeat the whole purpose of the back-plastering and is so likely to occur that other means are often taken to obtain a better result. One of the best methods is to lath the house on the studding and plaster a rough coat and then fur off with 7/8-inch strips and lath and plaster again for the finished work. (Fig. 30 b.)
Fig. 30a. Rack Plastering