three techniques were developed by which cotton fibers in roving from were mercerized and stretched to their original length and then neutralized in the stretched configuration. the effectiveness of the three stretching systems was evaluated by testing the processed fibers and yarns. the mechanical properties of the yarns made from stretch mercerized roving were compared with those of yarns made of untreated fibers and slack mercerized fibers their properties were also compared with the properties of yarns that were packaged mercerized and single strand stretch mercerized. the results show that a series of closely set rollers, gradually increasing in diameter from back to front, provide a reasonable device for stretching the individual fibers during mercerization the yarn produced from rovings with this technique shows superior properties over those of other methods studied in this investigation yarns made of stretch mercerized roving will have higher strength retention after durable press treatment. 10 refs