German Date Cake

1 tsp. baking soda
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup butter
1/2 tsp. salt
2 cups flour
2 cups buttermilk
2 tsp. allspice
2 tsp. cinnamon
2 tsp. nutmeg
1 pkg. dates, cut up
1 pkg. chopped pecans

Dissolve soda in butter and sugar. Sift all dry ingredients together and add alternately with cool buttermilk alternately. Add chopped dates and nuts. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Serve iced or plain.