"The manure is cured by allowing it to heat and ferment in the pile, but great care must be exercised not to allow it to burn, that is, it must not get white inside. To prevent its becoming too hot, the manure must be forked over and made into a new pile. ...It may feel to the hand quite hot, but as long as it does not turn white or get too dry the heating will not harm it. It is far better to handle the manure in such a way as to avoid the necessity of moistening with water; but if it is too dry to begin with or if it becomes too dry in the process of heating, enough water should be sprinkled on to make it moist, but not wet. It usually requires from 10-15 or 18 days to cure manure, and it is then ready for making into beds. It should not be made into beds, however, until the temperature of the fermenting manure is down to about 100° Fahr."