Wash cucumbers and cut into spears. Mix 1 cup of pickling lime to 1 gallon of water. cover cucumbers with lime water and let soak for 5 to 6 hours. Drain and rinse cucumbers in cold water 3 times. Put cucumbers in jars and fill with water. Let set 2 hours. Pack cucumbers in hot jars and add 1/8 teaspoon alum, 1 clove garlic, 2 heads of fresh dill (or dill seeds), 1 fresh hot pepper. Mix 1 1/2 quarts of vinegar, 1 cup salt, 3 quarts water, 1/2 teaspoon of pickling spice. Bring to a boil and pour over cucumbers. Seal jars.