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Seed coat fragments that remain in the lint after the ginning process cause problems during the spinning process, and ultimately affect the quality of finished goods. An experiment was conducted to determine the interactions of harvesting and saw ginning with a variety that is known to have fragile seed coats. Four harvester treatments examined the effects of spindle size (diameter) and spindle speed. One of the harvester treatments contained a control variety. Four ginning treatments examined the effects of seed roll density on seed coat fragments in ginned fiber. The experiment affirmed that the fragile seed coat variety contained many favorable fiber properties, but seed coat nep count and visible foreign matter content were not favorable. Results showed that short fiber and length uniformity were better with the 16-mm (5/8-inch) spindle, maturity and immature fiber content were better with the 13-mm (1/2-inch) spindle, and seed coat nep count was worse when the 16-mm (5/8-inch) spindle was run at high speed. In addition, the paddle-roll seed roll box had the lowest amount of seed coat nep count and visible foreign matter content, and the standard and conveyor-tube roll boxes had the lowest amount of short fiber content. Spinning tests to determine yarn and fabric quality have not been completed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]