Earliness, yiekl, and fiber properties in cotton were studied in a series of experiments conducted in Oklahoma from 1961 through 1966. In these studies a very early selection, OK‐86, from an early Yugoslavian strain, PI 235563, and a late commercial variety, ‘Acala 44’, were used as parents. The P1, P2, F1, F2, Bc1, Bc2, F3, and Bc2F4 generations of this cross were investigated. Single plant analyses of the early generation materials gave inconsistent heritabilities. However, progeny row analyses of the Bc2F4 gave predicted genetic advances under selection which corresponded closely with observed selection responses. Selection in this later generation material was highly effective for earliness and fiber length. It probably would have been less effective for yield, fiber coarseness, and fiber strength had selection for those three traits been practiced. The breeding of an early, high‐yielding variety with fiber properties more acceptable than those of the early varieties now available appears feasible, although difficult.