(FOR ONE LARGE PIE)

1/8 teaspoonful of baking-powder, or 1/4 teaspoonful of soda. 1 1/4 cups of flour. 1/2 to 3/4 cup of thick cream. 3 tablespoonfuls of washed butter. 1/3 teaspoonful of salt.

If the cream be sweet, use the baking-powder, if sour, use the soda. Sift the flour, salt, and leavening agent together; stir in enough cream to make a paste as described above. Take out rather more than half the paste, knead slightly then pat, and roll out to fit the pie tin. Knead the rest of the paste slightly, roll out into a rectangular sheet, and spread with the washed butter. Fold the first third of the paste over the second third, the last over the others, and pat and roll out. Repeat the folding and rolling two or three times. Then chill and roll to fit the plate. Do not begin to put the pie together until the upper crust has been prepared and chilled.