The New York herald., 1844-10-20
Great PlouShing and spading 0iatoh at
FOrSlham.

pces Of the American Institute, came off yesterday
at Fordham Although several hundreds OF spec
tators were assembled to witness it, there probably
would have been many more, had it not been tor
the uncertain appearance of the morning and pre-
vious dsappointmenis; the day, however, turned
out beautiful, and all on the ground appeared to en-
Joy the scene to the fullest extent.
The plot chosen for this trial Of skill between the
sturdy sons Of the soil, large field containing
some eight or ten acres belonging to the Rev. MIR.
Powell, and lying quarter Of mile from The rail-
road Nothing could be better suited for the pur.
pose the surface was even, the soil rich deep
loam in the lea state and without any obstacles in
the shape Of inequalities, stones, any of those
remains which commonly abound in newly reclaim
ed soil. fine view was obtained, 100, from
gentle eminence at end Of the park, from
whence the eye could take in all the teams at a
look, without change Of position.
AS is usual such occasions, good deal OF
time passed in preliminary regulations, and twas
nearly one o'clock ere the competitors in the
spadng match fell into their places. In this case
there were six candidates for the prizes offered,
which were as follows:-s- For the best spadiDg OF
ground twenty teet long and ten feet wide, silver
third best, diploma" On the word being given to
START each man elved his spade in the earth with
the force of Hercules, and i was evident that
nothing that strength could do would be left
done by any OF the six. Much animation was ex-
cited in the ookers-sn, who were with difficulty
kept back from tramping on the upturned sods In
genious speculatons, and crafty conJecturrs as to
who should be the victor, abounded on all sides
the work went bravely on; whilst in some cases
the personal friends and cronies of the spademen
were seen to sit kneel, and go on all fours to take
more profound and searching view OF the pro-
eress oi their favorite. II sufficient here to add
that the work was done well, and In a shorter
time, in one or two cases, than was calculated
On the amount of the award of the Judges in the
evening, we ascerfained II % be as foows:-
First premium to Joseph Lodge time. 20 minutes.
Second do. 10 William Lodge. time 30 minutes.
Third do. 10 Mathew Roach, time "a minutes
Immediately after the conclusion ofthe spadiag,
the teams entered for the poughing match were
ordered to tall in, which was promptly. obeyed BY
no less than ten merry p0ughmen, "who whisfled
DER the lea," to break ground in anticipation Of
triumph, each and all of them Eleven compet
tors han entered their names, but one withdrew,
leaving the number at ten, six of whose teams o
cattle were oxen and four horses The conditions
were
.Fer the best ploughng, performed in hour
eighth OF an of gieensward. silver cup value eight
dollars Second best silver medal Third best diploma
The list of the names and the order in which the
ground was allotted TO them stood thus -
No. /. Matthew Ray West Farm, Wsstchester county
2. John Savage same place pair Of oxen.
3. Jehn Ray N. .rrsiana Wes leicester county, do.
a. Moses Rogers, Wfs' Farms, do do.
/" 8 Lewis g. NJ rris Fordham, do do.
.. Oliver .;.sa Cromwell 90 40 40
5. Henry Moore Ithaca, Tompkn. county, horses
TO- jsrsmish s % Tiers. Y; YounGer:, do o. oxen.
II Cornelius Bergen Brooklyn, Kings CO., horses.
During the contest, which was over in an incre-
dlby short space of time, capital opportunity was
presented of comparing the merits of horses with
those Of oxen or plough cattle. The comparison,
upon the whole was In favor OF the latter,
their superior .steadiness and uniformity OF
motion being quite apparent, that is in those cases
in which they were well trained but without this
training they are decidedly too green to compete
with the innate sagacity OF the horse As TO speed,
the complaint often made about the sluggishness OF
weud, from The result OF the present contest,
appearto be unfounded, tor we find that the task
was accomplished in the shortest time by oxen,
and that the longest time by good deal, was taken
by horses.
rain, the scores lay well up and compacty together,
the ploughs were never thr0wnyOut, and the work
appeared to SO much the better advantage. indeed
except in one or cases, il was done credItably,
and in four or five of highly meritorious charac
ter. AS IN the spadIng match, emulation was
strong at work. and lent its influence to the lockers
on who really appeared as much, II not more con-
cerned in the termination OF the contest than the
principals and there is room for conjecture that,
had 1t not been for the active supervision Of Mr..
Ellison, of Connecticut, who was Marshal for the
day--there would bave been other animals besides
qusdrureds buckled 10 the harness.
Nothing requiring particular notice occurred
during the performance of the work, which was
performed In less time than was expected, the
candidates dropping ont in the following order -
No 4 first, second, IL third, fourth, g. 3 and 10
nearly together fifth; No. sixth, Nc. seventh,
No 8 last.
As soon as all had got done, the committee and
judges took their places on commodlous plat
form erected for the purpose in the field, whittier
the spectators repaired, and were addressed by Mr.
Meigs in his usual, clear and manly way, in the
conclusion Of whose address the announcement
upa fhaff Tudpp Wn heir
decision at Berrian's Hotel, which accordingly
took place about o'clock, as follows
First premium ot silver cup to John Ray Morrisana,
Second do silver medal Moses Rogers of West Farms
Wetchester county.
Third do. diploma to Mathew Ray, West Farm, do.
In short time after the award was pronounced,
the train came up,and put stop to numerous good
hut short speeches, pthy sayings, and good hu-
mored discussions which were going on, and
which promised to yield almost IS mach enjoy
ment the movements in the field, If that were
possible. The premiums will be paid on Monday
in the repository OF the American Institute.
MnLKRrsM-MApNEss-M IseRY.-A singular and
some hat painful scene took place yesterday after
noon at the chapel Of the second advent people, al
the corner of Christie and Deancey streets. II ap-
pears, that during the past week, there have been
prayer meetings held in this place, at which fe-
males principally attended, headed by few
brotncrs' oil the society. 1esteruay, Wnen iney
were in one of their most fervent prayers, and
amidst the most pious respons s, there entered
stout, good looking man, in his shirt sleeves, cap
on head, and with most gloomy cast of counte-
nance, in which pity aud anger were strongly
blended, who cast his eyes around, and walking VI
to about The centre OF the building, laid his hano
upon the shoulder of respectable looking female,
who was on her knees signing most pteousy
| She turned up her counienance to HIM, and in il
might be seen The remains OF most beautiful crea
| ure, evidently much warn by thought and anxiety
| The male party desired her to rise and g.
nome, when after moments thought, sh,
| arose. and was about to demonstrate with heI
Isturber, when he in very gentle manner, VIII
| his 'oor, propelled her forward, exclamDs " hod
| must teach you in different way OF your folly
| IN leaving your infant children and home TO fol
low this hmmhngrrry =, 10 which she merely Lttd