Sift and measure flour. Add spices and salt; sift again. Set aside. Cut gumdrops and add part of dry ingredients to raisins. Add gumdrops and chopped nuts; set aside. Cream butter and sugar. Add well beaten eggs and mix together. Alternating, add the flour mixture and applesauce to creamed mixture. Dissolve baking soda in hot water. Add vanilla and mix into batter. Add floured raisins, gumdrops and nuts. Pour into 2 or 3 loaf pans lined with greased brown paper. Bake at 150ºC about 2 hours.