The Air-Tight Stopper.
Reading edition
How many times has it happened to you, when wanting to cork a bottle, that the intended cork was too large to enter the neck?
What have you done? Cut the cork all round, and obtained, but imperfectly, the desired end.
Next time when the same occasion arises, turn the difficulty in this way: Instead of attacking the sides, cut four notches, bevel-shaped, into the cork as shown in the figure.
Treated in this manner your cork will fit, and close the bottle hermetically.