Put flour, salt, baking powder, cream of tartar and sugar in a mixing bowl. Cut the shortening into the flour with a pastry blender until the mixture resembles coarse meal.

Add the milk all at once and, using a fork, stir just until the dough forms a ball around the mixing fork.

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead about 14 times.

Pat the dough until ½-inch thick. Cut into rounds with a 2-inch cutter. Place biscuits on the sheet touching each other.

Bake for 15 to 20 minutes.