Clean out bad beans, rocks and etc. from beans and rinse in a colander. Place beans in large bowl, and cover with cold water for at least 8 hours. I usually do this all day. Then drain water and rinse. Place beans in large cook pan, cover with water, and bring to a boil. Turn heat down and simmer for 10 minutes. Then empty water out, and place beans and other ingredients in crockpot. Cut salt pork in three pieces, and add onion whole. Cover beans with water and cook on low for 24 hours. Add water as needed, but try not to add it the last 4-5 hours. Remove the whole onion as it soaks up excess fat.

I usually cook hot dogs and onions in oil to serve with the beans, pickled beets, cole slaw and dinner rolls with butter. Now that's what we had for dinner Saturday night's in Maine when I was growing up!! Everyone I knew made beans on Saturday.