In the late 70's and early 80's we started no tilling beans into previous year corn ground in this area.  I am having problems remembering the yields we got but I do seem to remember having some fields which made in the low to mid 40's using Essex beans in 38 inch rows.  

If these yields are correct then, in many cases,  I am not doing much better now planting beans in narrow rows with the improved genetics and other tools we have today.  I would really like to get some of the old Essex public variety beans and plant them in 30 and 15 inch rows just to see what they would do today.  Anyone know where I could get some? 

Anyone have any similar experiences that would either confirm or refute my memory regarding yields of Essex or other varieties many years ago?