U.S. narrow-row cotton production and history is reviewed. Three main points are made concerning the economic benefits of adopting narrow-row cotton. First the demonstrated gains from narrow-row cotton systems before 1980 were largely based on modest yield increases coupled with savings from once-over stripping. Second, the sources of economic benefits in modern narrow-row systems also include modest yield gains plus accompanying cost savings. However, the latter cost savings are derived from reduced inputs and better equipment (fixed costs) management. Third, the adoption of narrow-row cotton is an investment decision involving a longer-run, whole-farm scenario.