Cotton lint containing bark returns a lower price in the form of a greater discount to the cotton producer. The West Texas cotton farmer is very much concerned that the fiber he produces must meet the needs of his customer, the textile mill. Having investigated the avenues for reducing the bark content of their product to a minimum, High Plains producers turned their attentions to determining the problems experienced by textile manufacturers, the effect of bark content on processing performance, and the influence of gin and mill cleaning on fiber and yarn quality. There were no significant differences in yarn properties between cottons which had been discounted for bark. Mills with the correct degree of cleaning equipment should be able to handle barky cotton and in 'that event the farmer should not be penalized. The implementation of separate color and leaf grades will more accurately reflect the true nature of the raw cotton. The recommendation to not subject the leaf grade to any additional adjustment when bark is identified as a part of the total trash will be a positive move for both the producer and the end-user of U.S. cotton.