Abstract: The production capacity of a carding machine is increased greatly above the normal range by feeding the fibrous material into the carding machine at a linear speed much greater than the conventional rate and at least about 10 feet per minute, and wherein the fibrous material is fed into the card in the form of a thin, lightweight, substantially non-compacted batt, significantly lighter than the conventional weight of feed into a carding machine. The lighter weight of the fibrous material being fed and the increased rate of speed thereof are such as to provide an overall increase in the amount of fibrous material being fed into the carding machine with a corresponding increase in the production rate. In accordance with the invention, a separate drive means independent of the drive means for the lickerin, main cylinder and doffer cylinder, is provided for driving the feed roll at said increased rate of speed.