[If] they did not find [parah adumah ashes] from seven [paros adumos], they would prepare [mei chatas] from [the ashes of] six, five, four, three, two [or] one.  And who made them? The first was made by Moses; the second was made by Ez-ra; and five [were made] from [the times of] Ezra on. [These are] the words of R’ Meir. But the Sages say: Seven from [the times of] Ezra on. And who made them? Shimon HaTzadik and Yochanan Kohen Gadol made two each; Elyeho Einai ben Hakuf, Chanamel the Egyptian, and Yishmael ben Piani made one each.

They would make a ramp [extending] from the Temple Mount to the Mount of Oil, [consisting of] arches on top of arches, with an arch over the support [below], on account of a grave of the deep, for on [this ramp] the Kohen who would burn the parah, the parah and its entourage would leave [the Temple Mount to go] to the Mount of Oil.

[If] the parah did not want to leave, we do not take a black [cow] along with it, so that [people] should not say, “They slaughtered the black [cow].” Nor a red [cow], so that [people] should not say, “They slaughtered two [paros adumos].” R’ Yose says: [It is] not because of this [reason], but rather because it is stated, “And he shall take it out,” [which means, it] alone.  And the elders of Israel would precede [the delegation] by foot to the Mount of Oil, and there was an immersion room there.  And they would render tamei the Kohen who was to burn the parah, on account of the Sadducees, so that they should not say that [the parah adumah service] was performed by those who had experienced sunset.

They would place their hands on him and say to him: “My master Kohen Gadol, immerse once.” He would descend [into the mikveh] and immerse, come up and dry himself.  And there were logs arranged there, [either of] cedar, laurel wood or boxwood, or smooth fig wood.  And they would make it into a sort of tower, and they would open windows in it, and its face was westward.