Abstract:
Cotton is on the comeback trail in North Carolina and other Southern states. High-tech research developed no-iron polyester fabrics that almost brought about cotton's demise, and high-tech research, much of it conducted at the Research Triangle, is contributing to its revival. New fabric blends create a new demand for cotton clothing; new fashion uses are being found; mills are changing to process the fiber more cheaply and effectively; and farm suppliers are selling more equipment to harvest the crop.