Link to Author and Book
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Plant
a Bean Field
"This
is the result of my experience in raising beans: Plant the common
small white bush bean about the first of June, in rows three feet
by eighteen inches apart, being careful to select fresh round and
unmixed seed. First look out for worms, and supply vacancies by planting
anew. Then look out for woodchucks, if it is an exposed place, for
they will nibble off the earliest tender leaves almost clean as they
go; and again, when the young tendrils make their appearance, they
have notice of it, and will shear them off with both buds and young
pods, sitting erect like a squirrel. But above all harvest as early
as possible, if you would escape frosts and have a fair and salable
crop; you may save much loss by this means." - Henry David Thoreau,
Walden
Henry
David Thoreau planted 2 and 1/2 acres of beans in his field at Walden.
He hoed his bean field from five o’clock until noon making sure
the weeds were removed. He harvested twelve bushels of beans.
Thoreau suggests that on the first of June you plant the white bush
beans in rows three feet by eighteen inches. Select fresh ground and
unmixed seeds.
Thoreau’s expenses for his endeavor were:
For a hoe, ....................................
$0.54
Plowing, harrowing, and furrowing, ............. 7.50 Too
much.
Beans for seed, ................................ 3.12½
Potatoes " ...................................
1.33
Peas " ...................................
0.40
Turnip seed, ................................... 0.06
White line for crow fence, ..................... 0.02
Horse cultivator and boy three hours, .......... 1.00
Horse and cart to get crop, ..................
0.75
In all, ................................... $14.72
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Thoreau’s
income for his endeavor was:
Nine bushels &
twelve quarts of beans sold,....$16.94
Five " large potatoes,
................. 2.50
Nine " small
" .................. 2.25
Grass, .......................................
1.00
Stalks, ......................................
0.75
In all, ..................................
$23.44
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Activity |
What
was Thoreau’s profit for his bean planting endeavor? Download
the Excel spreadsheet to calculate the answer.
Download
Spreadsheet
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Activity |
Thoreau
planted white bush beans. Did he enjoy eating them?
Bean
Growing Kit
- Large
Plant Tray
- Jiffy
Pots (8)
- Bag
of Potting Soil
- Package
of White Bush Beans
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Plant a bean garden (Henry planted white bush beans)
What is the size of your garden?
Prepare the soil by hoeing and loosening the dirt.
Plant your bean seeds.
Water the seeds and keep them moist.
How long does it take them to sprout?
Record their growth.
Keep your garden weeded.
How long does it take before you can harvest your beans?
Keep a journal of your activities and observations.
Now that you have your beans how many different ways can you prepare
them for eating? What are your favorite recipes? Try one of these
recipes.
Sheri's
White Bean and Chicken Chili
·
1 lb of great northern beans
·
6 cups chicken broth
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2 cloves of garlic
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2 to 3 tsp. cumin
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2 tsp. oregano
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2- 7oz. cans chopped chili
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Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
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2 med onions chopped
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3 to 4 cups cooked chicken, chopped
·
2 tbsp. oil
GARNISH
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Sour cream
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Jack cheese
Wash,
then soak beans overnight covered with water. Drain.
Sauté onions and garlic. In a crock pot or large kettle,
place beans with
all other ingredients, except chicken, sour cream and jack cheese.
Cook until done, about 4 to 5 hrs, then add the cooked chicken
and heat thoroughly. Serve with sour cream and jack cheese.
NOTE:
I don't bother to sauté the onion and garlic, I just add
it all in the
crock pot. I add the chicken whenever I think about it. I usually
cook it
all day long. Sheri's
White Bean and Chicken Chili
White
Bean and Vegetable Pizza
4
individual-size pizza shells 4
3 tbsp olive oil 50 mL
1 leek, halved lengthwise and chopped 1
2 cloves garlic, minced 2
2 cups fresh spinach, stems picked off 500 mL
1 cup WHITE PEA BEANS, soaked and cooked
or canned in water: drained and rinsed 250 mL
8 sun-dried tomatoes, thinly sliced 8
1 1/2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese 375 mL
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese 50 mL
1 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped 15 mL
1 tbsp fresh oregano, finely chopped
(or 1 tsp/5 mL dried) 15 mL
Preheat oven to 350oF (180oC).
In a medium skillet, heat 1 tbsp (15 mL) of olive oil. Add chopped
leeks and saute over medium heat for about 5 minutes or until
tender. Add garlic and continue to saute slowly for 5 more minutes.
Do not brown. Remove from pan and set aside.
Turn heat to high and add spinach to pan. Cover and cook spinach
just until it wilts (about 1 minute). Remove spinach from pan
and rinse in cold water. Gently squeeze leaves to remove excess
water. Set aside.
Brush pizza shells with 2 tbsp (25 mL) olive oil. Spread one
quarter of the mozzarella cheese evenly over each pizza shell.
Next, layer spinach leaves over the mozzarella cheese and top
with white beans and sun-dried tomatoes. Finally, layer the
leek and garlic mixture and sprinkle each pizza with Parmesan
cheese, chives and oregano. Bake approximately 10 minutes.
4 servings - Ontario
White Bean Producers
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