An Test was Re: SC - Truck Crops

[LrdRas at aol.com]

In a message dated 5/7/00 8:40:20 AM Eastern Daylight Time, 
TerryD at Health.State.OK.US writes:

<< The term appears in
 Roman writings after the beginning of major trade with Africa which
 increases the probability that they were writing about some form of the
 black-eyed pea.
  >>

Possibly but, as I have stated before, I think this is likely. I have been 
pondering the kidney bean question for over 2 years and I am firmly convinced 
that the 'kidney' bean as referenced in pre-New World writings is 'Vigna 
unguiculata sesquipedalis', a member of the cowpea family. 

There is at least one picture in a book of illumination examples that I have 
that clearly shows this bean. Taking the leap, I planted the yard-long beans 
summer before last and a friend took a photo of a stem segment containing 
leaves and beans. When this was laid newt to the illumination there was 
absolutely no difference between it and the illustration. When the beans were 
allowed to mature on the vine, the resulting dried beans found inside the 
crackly pod looked exactly like miniature kidney beans in color and form. 
When used in a period recipe that called for these beans the resulting dish 
was very tasty.

I am also fairly convinced that in some instances 'green beans' were actually 
the tender young pods of these yard-long beans. I know that neither 
illuminations nor actual experience are a basis for saying that period kidney 
and green beans were, in fact, yard long beans (V. unguiculata sesquipedalis) 
but it certainly makes a convincing case given the lack of written records 
and fits the few descriptions that we do have.

Ras