a complete system of handling and storage of seed cotton has been developed. the system consists of a mechanized module builder, pallets, handling and transport system and a mechanized gin feeder the cotton is formed into a free standing stack by the module builder that compacts the cotton as it is received with a traversing compactor. the module builder may be used in the field and receive the cotton directly from the harvester or may be used in a central location and form modules from cotton that is transported from the harvesters in specially designed dump trailers. depending upon rainfall and weather conditions, the modules may be formed directly on the ground or on pallets. the modules are handled mechanically with self-loading trailers or trucks. for safe storage, the tops of the modules should be covered and the moisture content should not exceed 12. the moduled cotton can be fed into the gin with conventional feeding equipment or with a mechanical feeder designed for handling and feeding the cotton into the gin. 18 refs