Reduction of lint grades due to excess bark has been related to specific causes such as production practices, environmental conditions, methods of harvest and condition of plant at harvest. A better understanding of plant moisture as related to environmental conditions is needed. Moisture content of the leaves, fruit, limbs, and stalk of five cotton plants were determined weekly from September, 1987 through January, 1988. Environmental conditions including rainfall, relative humidity, temperature and wind speed were also monitored during this period of time. This paper reviews research conducted in 1987 that related plant moisture level to environmental conditions. Understanding these factors could help develop relationships that producers could use to predict conditions conducive to bark and make modifications or adjustments to harvesters that would reduce the incidence of barky grades.