, 1864-03-18

IA EfCeGaIncn'R Xl0uMAln.@s MaICA.
From the New Regime, Norfolk, Va, March III
On Thursday, the 10th Inst, teams from
fourteen Of the farms now being cultivated
By Freedmen, under the management Of
Capt. O. Brown, A. @. NJ, the Snperintend-
ent Of Negre Affairs for this district, met for
friendly competition In ploughing at Baxter
Farm No. 2, situated on the eastern Branch.
Jupiter Rae.;us presided, bringing with him
strong foree @ Of sq squalls, suppSstea b henry
was, however wcathe er-proof, aud though
snaked to the skin, not 1manlett the ground
until his allotted task WAS completed.
The ground being laid out IN divisions,
technically termed Islands," designated By
stakes, the men, tifty.tlrec Ii, all, drew mum.
at the stake bearing the corresponding mum.
bcr: In spite Of the weather, which could
hardly have been worse, and the ineSpcri-
ence Of most Of the horses, which have been
more familiar with "bugle calls" than calls
to "Haw!" or "Gee!" :" Forward by fours,
charged, than stepping ten the land," o.
lent. Not one bad Glands was ploughed.
The Judges, A1essEs. Hodges and Bartlctt,
and the umpire, Mr. Merrill, had need for
close scrutiny In awarding the prizes; and If
able, as they might have been had the ex-
pectcd city guests come within " collecting
raDge," would have given every competitor
some reward for his staunchncss and skill.
Ono OF the Judges, Yirginian Of long expe-
rience and excellent Judgment, stated that he
never saw SO much good p1oughing at any
County Fair match In the State.
The awards we're as follows: For "1and"
No. Sc, 1st prize, watch to William Hol~
McAlpinc Farm; No. 81, Lewis Drew, Baker
Farm, and No. 8, Edward Clements, Baxter
Farm, s. ench; No. 9, Spencer Gof1agan,
Baker Farm, md No. SO, not claimed, 50
each. Ten Of the remaining contestants re-
ceiyed 81 each. The funds for the prizes
Capt o. Brown, and the Assistant Superin-
tendent, Mr.. F. P. jackson; the clock, which
was quite m elaborate structure, by kind
friends Of the Freedmen at G1 John street,
New York.
At the c1ose of the ploughing, Captain
Brown and few friends who had braFed
the efficient Quartermaster Of this city, par.
took Of country repast, Of which baked
beans, q Ia Bay State, formed prominent
feature, though they proved '1Shibboleth''
to certain person who shall be name1ess,
and effectually betrayed his foreign s'persua.
sion." The plonghmen Terc: not overlook
ed In this entertainment, all having their
ill before leaving for home. Some forty
acres Of ground were ploughed in this peace
ful contest, which was In striking contrast
with the deadly strife Wagging within gun-ire
sound Of the spot, Would that reason pre-
vailed among the traitors in arms aga1nst
their country, then might all ''swords be
turned into ploughshares."
The Farm Guard, under command Of Lieut.
Latham, consisted OF laborers armed and
drilled for the protection Of government pro-
perty on the different farms, was present.
The weather being too bad for the display OF
field evo1utions, some very credttable target
practice was indu1ged In.
The visitors returned well pleased With the
performances Of the day. This plonghingg:.
match has had good effect in promoting and
encouraging healthy spirit Of emulation
among the freedmen Of the nefghboling gov
elpm eut furnB.