I always add just a pinch of alum to each jar before processing...it makes your pickles nice and crispy!
14 Day Pickles Ingredients: 2 gallons cucumbers, sliced 1 gallon water 1 pint salt 2 TBS alum 2 quarts apple cider vinegar 8 pints sugar 2 TBS pickling spices Salt water and bring to a boil. Pour over cucumbers and let stand for seven days. Drain and rinse well. Cover with boiling water and add alum. Let stand for 24 hours. Rinse well. For the next four days, bring sugar, vinegar and spices (in a bag or loose in vinegar) to a boil and pour over cucumbers. Drain each day and reboil. On the fourth day, pack in jars and seal.