Old Fashioned Bean Soup Recipe

Rinse beans, picking out any bad ones. Soak overnight. Drain and add 4-5 cups water (enough to cover beans) in a large soup pot. Bring to quick boil over high heat. reduce heat to low and add remaining ingredients. Cover and simmer for 2 1/2 hours, until beans are very tender. If mixture appears too thick, add a little boiling water. A small amount of baking soda added to the soup during cooking will reduce the amount of gas in the beans.