Excerpts from the Introduction: Cotton has been, and remains, a very significant part of the U.S. economy, but market supply, disappearance, and prices have fluctuated widely during the past several decades. The leadership of cotton as a raw material for the U.S. textile industry is being challenged by manmade fibers, and cotton industry leaders are increasingly concerned about this competition. In addition, the industry is faced with rising costs, competition from foreign cottons for export outlets, the problem of maintaining and improving quality, the need to find and promote new uses and markets for cotton, and competition from manmade fibers, plastics, paper, and other raw materials. Changes in technology are constantly being made at all stages of the marketing systems for cotton and cotton textile products. Associated with these developments are changes in market structure and organization, and in efficiencies of providing marketing services. In addition, the ever-changing character of consumer demand for textile products greatly influences the cotton and cotton-products industries. An evaluation of these changes should help in understanding problems confronting the U.S. cotton industry, and in appraising prospective developments in marketing which may strengthen the competitive position of U.S. cotton.