Field studies were conducted in northeastern North Carolina and southern Virginia to evaluate the effects of early season terminal bud and square removal on yield of cotton. Terminal buds were removed at 10%, 20%, and 30% on the 3^rd or 5^th of July at the test locations. No significant yield differences among terminal bud removal levels were observed when compared to the zero removal control. First position squares were removed as sequential groups at 4, 8, and 12 per row foot on three different dates (5 July, 9 July and 13 July) from three test locations in order to simulate the feeding pattern of tobacco budworm larvae. Yield results indicated that cotton plants fully compensated for the loss of early first position squares when compared to the zero removal control. Plant mapping data indicated that a greater percentage of fruit were set at second positions or at higher first positions in the plant fruiting profile when early first position squares were removed.