First three days soak pickles in salty water (1 gallon water with 1 cup salt). Change each day.

Next 3 days, soak in alum water (1 tablespoon heaped of alum per gallon of water). Change each day.

Next 3 days soak in vinegar and sugar (1 1/2 cup sugar to 1 cup vinegar). Heat vinegar and sugar, mix each morning.

Third morning add pickling spices and pack pickles in jars and seal.

I remember helping Mama do these. They sure were a LOT of trouble - but boy were they good!