The effect of various carding parameters on hooking and loading characteristics and on yarn quality has been investigated for a California 15/32 -in. cotton.Lickerin speeds and method of doffing the card web were shown to have no effect on the pattern of hook formation which is influenced mainly by cylinder and doffer speeds and the hank of the delivered sliver. These same factors also influence the loading on the cylinder and the coefhcient of transfer of fibers to the doffer. No clear-cut relationship between loading and hooking has, however, emerged. Increased doffer and cylinder speeds, at a constant carding rate, were seen to decrease yarn imperfections..