This paper describes the way cotton bales were blended at Fruit of the Loom Mills before High Volume Instruments were available and outlines developments which have contributed to the use of USDA classing office HVI data to produce lay-downs and blends. Specifics of Fuit of the Loom's procedures for using the two color readings, RD and +B, rather than classer's color grade to produce lay-downs are presented, and our confidence in USDA classing data is expressed.