Watermelon Pickles

I remember my Grandma Solomon making these when I was a kid...I've always wanted to make them...Maybe the next time I have watermelon I will give it a try..

Watermelon Pickles Recipe
This recipe is from a well worn, loose page of an old cookbook.
Unknown source.

Ingredients:
16 cups watermelon pieces
8 cups granulated sugar
4 cups white vinegar
4 cups water
1 cup salt
Cold water
2 TBS whole cloves
3 cinnamon sticks
2 pieces ginger root
1 lemon, thinly sliced

Directions:
Cut watermelon into 1″ pieces remove the dark green and the dark pink (use the firm light pink watermelon flesh).
Dissolve salt thoroughly in 8 cups cold water, pour over watermelon pieces–add more water if needed to cover watermelon. Let stand 6 hours; drain, rinse well and cover with fresh cold water. Cook until just tender; drain.
Tie spices in a cheesecloth bag and combine with remaining ingredients; simmer 10 minutes.
Add watermelon pieces and simmer until clear; remove spice bag. Add boiling water to syrup if it becomes too thick before the watermelon pieces are clear.
Pack, boiling hot, into hot sterilized jars, leaving 1/8-inch head space; seal.
Makes 6-8 oz jars