Since the mid-sixties an average of 25% of the cotton produced on the High Plains of Texas has been reduced in grade because of bark content. A grade reduction of this type can cost the cotton producer $20 to $25 per bale. Various production and processing techniques are being investigated to identify cost-effective solutions to this problem. Unfortunately, the lack of detail data on levels of bark Contamination in cotton often makes it difficult to obtain clear cut results in these types of investigations. Presently, there are no available techniques for accurately measuring the amount of bark present in cotton. The classers evaluation indicates whether or not bark is present, but their assessment provides no information that will quantify levels, size, etc. of bark. Most harvesting, cleaning, and spinning studies would be more fruitful if they were based on quantative bark measurements rather than on the simple bark/no bark classification that is presently used.