FILLING:

1 lb. dates, chopped (two 8 oz. boxes)
1 c. water
1/2 c. sugar

Put in saucepan. Let boil until spreads easily.

CRUST:

4 c. oats
2 2/3 c. flour
1 1/3 tsp. baking soda
2 c. brown sugar
1 lb. butter (or 3 cubes butter & 1/2 c. Crisco)

Sift together flour and baking soda. Add oats and brown sugar. Add butter and work well with fingers until well mixed. Place a little more than half on bottom of long cake pan. Pat down evenly. Spread date mixture onto crust. Crumble remaining mixture of crust over date filling. Bake at 325 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes to light golden brown.