The conventional trailer system of handling seed cotton directly from the picker to the gin doesn't always provide an uninterrupted flow of cotton from the field through the gin. Growers sometimes have to stop picking because all their trailers are full, waiting to be ginned. Gins may have to work short shifts or shut down temporarily for lack of cotton, during the first or last part of the season or if adverse weather makes picking impossible. Storing part of the crop between picking and ginning alleviates both problems. Growers can complete their harvesting at an earlier date and ginning costs are reduced.

The study reported was partially supported by a grant from Cotton Incorporated. A more detailed report on these studies is available from the first author.