blend shortening, sugar, and eggs. sift together flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder, and spices. Add milk to egg mixture, then gradually add flour mixture, nutmeats and raisins. Bake for 1 hour at 325degF. Mom always used an old-style "tube pan". She always said the raisins were "optional", but I found it too dry without the raisins. Tip: plump up the raisins by soaking in warm water half hr prior to flouring them. Charlotte Welch ----