Wash and make a little slit in each berry. For each quart of berries put one and a half large cups of hot or cold water in kettle. Then the berries, then spread 2 cups sugar over them, also a pinch of soda. Keep covered closely all the time, do not stir or lift lid until perfectly cold. From the moment it begins to boil count five minutes—no more—to cook them.
If you remove the lid the lovely gloss will be lost.