Beans, I cook beans all the time. I cook all kinds of beans and here is what I do. Try to get the beans that are the paler in color. Throw them on the counter and pick through them for stones (yes they have stones sometimes) wash and soak for two or three hours or overnight. If the water is hard, add a 1/4 of babking soda. Make sure to rinse all that out later and it will foam a bit when cooking.
Do not put any seasoning in the beans, especially not salt, until the beans are soft..then add your ham bone and seasoning or whatever and let it cook for another hour or so...