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The manual of manures-Henry Vendelmans

Farmyard manure differs, further, in accordance with the kind of animal that produces it, and in this respect it is distinguished as “hot” and “cold” manure. That of sheep, for example, is very hot, that of the horse hot. These contain relatively little water and much nitrogenous matter. They are called “hot” manures because they ferment easily and emit much vapour, ripening very quickly, so that their nitrogen is soon in an assimilable form at the disposal of the plants. These manures act rapidly, but their action is not very prolonged. They are specially suitable for cold soils in which they hasten the commencement of vegetation. In the neighbourhood of towns they are chiefly used by market gardeners to make hotbeds in which the temperature has to rise very rapidly and very high, but in which the action cannot be very prolonged because after a short time the temperature falls.

Cattle manure is cold, that of pigs very cold, both containing a great deal of water. These manures ferment and also ripen very slowly. They are best for light lands and those lacking in humus, and if their action is very slow it is also very prolonged. They are of no use for hotbeds because they do not develop a high temperature, but, on the other hand, their temperature, such as it is, is maintained for a very long time. They can be used for warm beds, though not hot.