3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. salt
2 cups sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. cloves
3/4 cup shortening
2 tsp. baking soda
2 cups buttermilk
1 cup chopped nuts
1 cup raisins

Combine the first 6 ingredients in a large bowl. Cut in the shortening with a pastry cutter until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Reserve 1 cup of this crumb mixture for the topping.

Dissolve baking soda in buttermilk. Add this to crumb mixture. Stir until smooth. Stir in the chopped nuts and the raisins. Pour the batter into two greased and floured 9-inch round cake pans. Sprinkle with the leftover crumb mixture.

Bake in a 350°F oven for 30 to 45 minutes or until the cake tests clean (use butter knife).