Excerpts from the report: The basic importance of length measurement of cotton fibers has never been greater than it is today, according to the National Cotton Council. In particular, there has been an increasing need for precise determination of the distribution of fiber lengths within a sample of cotton. These determinations allow cotton-mill operators and merchants to select the best length of cotton available for their particular needs. Length-distribution data are also of great importance for studies in genetics, breeding, and cultural practices related to the cotton plant. The purpose of this report is to present a method of detecting differences in the fiber-length distribution patterns between bales, and a method of analysis that would enable the interpretation of these differences if desired.