linters are substantially less expensive than textile length fibers such as cotton and rayon and this low cost is a factor in reducing the cost of the facing layer component of the diaper of this invention in the facing layer 16 the long fibers may be 1 5 denier rayon fibers uniformly cut to 11 2 inch length the short and long fibers are randomly dispersed and bonded with a bonding agent such as crosslinking acrylic emulsion the facing layer is also treated with a wetting agent such as a non ionic surfactant to partially counteract the water repellency of the bonding agent and bring the facing layer to the desired degree of wettability an important aspect of this invention is the provision for selective wettability among the above mentioned fibrous components of the diaper such that the moisture is selectively draw from the facing layer into the body of the batt and then from the body of the batt into the densified layer thereof in the present invention the facing layer 16 is provided with areas of preferential liquid flow to direct the liquid quickly to the absorbent batt 14 the term 34 areas of preferential liquid flow 34 as used herein refers to areas in the facing layer having a higher degree of water transmissivity than the areas surrounding them.