Wash from one pint to one quart of fresh shelled beans, put them into
three quarts of boiling salted water, to which one-fourth teaspoonful of
soda has been added, boil, and put them into a hay-box for two and
one-half hours. They are not injured by several hours’ cooking. Drain
them and add salt, pepper, and butter to taste. The exact quantity of
water in which the beans are cooked is not material. They will bear a
large amount, as their flavour is strong.