On 11/5/03 2:25 PM, in article
, "Pen"
wrote:

If you don't have a dog, find a back corner, preferably hidden by
shrubs. Dig a pit about 2-3' deep. Dump your kitchen and yard waste
in there. Cover with a little of the soil that was dug out of it.
Keep the layer going until the content rises 2' above the surrounding
soil then dig a new pit. Let the old pile sit for 6months and you've
got great compost.

I bought an earth machine a couple of years ago. Found it
impractical. High winter winds knocked the top half off a couple of
times. The vents are not enough to prevent grass clippings from
becoming anaerobic. Rats chewed through the plastic base and make the
whole thing a winter home.

Interesting - no animal troubles here in NH with the earth machine. I tend
to put the grass clippings in a different pile, more exposed to the
elements.
Just don't get a Compost Tumbler - worthless hunk of money!
Cheryl