Salt Rising Bread

Directions

1. 1
   Stir meal into boiling milk.
2. 2
   Let sit until double in warm place (1/2 to 1 1/4 days).
3. 3
   Add soda.
4. 4
   Make sponge of 2 cups boiling water poured over 1/2 cup sugar and 1 cup milk in crock. Thicken with about 5 cups flour.
5. 5
   Add meal yeast.
6. 6
   Place pitcher in hot water and let batter double (2 hours).
7. 7
   Sift 5 pounds flour into dishpan.
8. 8
   Set aside 2 cups of this flour.
9. 9
   Cut into flour the shortening, 1/3 cup sugar and salt.
10. 10
    Put in nest of flour in pan. Pour sponge in nest and rinse pitcher with 6 cups of the warm water in pan.
11. 11
    Mix well; put in well-greased loaf pans and set in very warm place to rise to double.
12. 12
    Bake at 350° for 15 minutes and 300° for 1 hour.
13. 13
    Turn out on brown paper and butter.
14. 14
    Total flour needed is 7 1/2 pounds.