To fasten a brass tap that has become loose in a kitchener, the nut on the tail of the tap inside the boiler must be loosened and removed and fresh packing material put around the tail before replacing the nut. The usual packing is a ring of hemp, called a " grummet." which has a mixture of red and white lead worked into it, and this, when comi res d by the tightened nut, makes a sound joint which soon hardens. Leather should not be used, but a collar cutout of sheet indiarubber will make an excellent and clean joint quickly prepared. The hole in the rubber over the tail of the cock (inside the boiler) should be a close lit.