Abstract: In a feeder for a roller gin, locks of seed cotton are pressed against a flexible knobby roller having pockets. Each pocket holds only one seed, thus spacing the seed one from another. A doffing roller adjacent the knobby roller travels at least twice as fast as the knobby roller. This lint and the seed of the cotton are pulled over at transfer edge between the knobby and doffing roller, thereby breaking the locks of seed cotton into individual seed locks which are spaced apart. Thus, the cotton is combed and smoothed and formed into a batt of a single layer of seed locks.