Excerpts from the report: In 1961, there were about 300 cotton warehouses with compress equipment in the United States. These facilities are mostly in the mid-South and along the Gulf Coast. Most of them were constructed long ago when manual handtruck operations were common; therefore, the warehousemen cannot make efficient use of modern handling equipment and methods. Objectives of this study were to develop engineering designs and material specifications for cotton compresses and warehouses which would : (1) Permit the most effective use of modern handling equipment in storing and compressing bales; (2) use the storage, compressing, and site space efficiently; (3) minimize construction and maintenance costs; and (4) provide adequate fire protection at minimum insurance rates.