Abstract: A method of, and apparatus for, feeding fibrous material to the chute from which a carding machine is fed, wherein fibrous material is entrained in a flow of moving air downstream of the flow generation point, and the flow of air and entrained material is led along a duct to the chute. Desirably, the air flow is not more than 300 cubic feet per minute and is generated by a positive displacement blower.Additionally, a pivotable valve flap is provided wherein the pivoting means are shielded from the movement of material in the ducts to prevent the formation of trailings on said pivot means.