Put in bowl:

1 1/2 cups buttermilk
1 tsp. soda
1 pound of dates, cut up

Cream together:

2 cups white sugar
2/3 cup Crisco
1/3 cup margarine
4 beaten eggs
1 tsp. vanilla

Mix together:

4 heaping cups flour
1 pound orange slices, cut up

Stir to coat orange slices.  Then add:

1 cup nuts

Add wet mixture to dry. Stir to moisten.  Bake at 350ºF for approx. 1 hour.  Yield: 8 cans, or 2 loaves.