RAM As we propose to treat of the proper mnnagement of Sheep, in ■(.hat article, we shall at presentonly btate the general marks that should charafterize the appearance of a food ram, which is intended for the purpose of breeding. Such an ani- mal ought to be large and well- proportioned ; his head should be thick and strong, with a broad front ; the eyes and nose black j the neck thick ; the body long and tall 5 and the tail of considerable length. Rams are capable of propagating at the age of eighteen montlis : and, as the line quality of the wool depends greatlj^upon the judgment of the breeder, it has been recom- mended to take the advice of some experienced clothier, or wool-sta- pler ; who, being accustomed to investigate wool, will be able to decide with the greatest accuracy, and also with a view to the breeder's real protit. The coat must like- wise be minutely examined, lest it be stitchy-haired; for, in such case, the wool will be so materially da- maged in the coui-se of two years, that the loss cannot be recovered, without changing the whole flock, in the space of twelve or fourteen years. . Beauty of shape, and fineness of wool, however, are not the only distinguishing marks: it will, far- ther, be necessary to reje6t the ani- mal, in case he have not a close th'ick coat along his back, and in which there is plenty of yolk ; as otherwise it may be assumed for certain, that he is not in perfet^ health. With respeft to the purchasing of rams, circumspe(!:t bretders ad- vise to procure them a short time before they are shorn, and from the farmers, graxicrs, or owner s house; RAP [471 because the animals may then be seen in their iiatural state, without the possibility of any fraud or im- position by the vender : besides, the depth or length of the staple may then be easily ascertained. It is, howc er, by no m-^ans agreed as to the proper age for purchasing rams ; and many pra6lical writers are of opinion, th;?.t crossing the I reed is attended v/ith little advantage : hence, they do not approve of se- lecting them from distant places. If the farm consist of down -In nd, it will, on their principles, be advis- able to purchase animals breil on a similar soil ; if it be inclosed, they should be bought off such land as is not commonable ; but, in all cases, it will be proper to obtain them from an inferior soil ; for they will then thrive in the new possessor's keeping 3 whereas, if a contrary plan be pursued, the rams will di- minish in fatness, and become less healthy. Rampion Bell-flov/er. See vol. ii. p. 248. Ramsons. See Garlic, the Broad-leaved. RAPE, or Coleseed, Brassica Napus, L. a valuable indigenous plant, of the uses of which we have already given a concise account, vol.i. p. 413 :— we shall, therefore, add a few particulars relative to its culture, &.C. to render our state- ment more complete. This plant is cultivatt d princi- pally for the purpose of expressing tlie i,'i from its seed, by which it is also propagated : — the best kind of thelatter .'■hould be large and black ; it ought to be sov.n in the month of June (in the proportion of 2lbs. per acre, broad-cast), with the two f(jre-fingers and thumb, to ]:)rev-ent it from shooting up in patches ; it may likewise be drilled, at the dis- H h 4 tance
