6. Intensify basic research on atmospheric factors leading to the 

 formation of fire-starting lightning storms, and develop methods 

 for reducing the lightning potential by cloud seeding or other 

 means. 



7. Improve the techniques for using the effectively and safely as a 

 silvicultui'al or a hazard-reduction device to eliminate unwanted 

 vegetation, litter, or accumulations of logging slash. 



8. Develop, test, and evaluate measures to speed the application of 

 new knowledge in fire control operations to improve efficiency 

 and reduce danger to human lives. 



Forest Insects. — Although provisional measures of direct chemical 

 control are available for suppressing outbreaks of many forest insects, 

 the greatest promise for the future lies in breakthroughs in preventive 

 control through the use of biological control factors or in improved 

 forest management measures. Accelerated research on the use of in- 

 sect enemies, or on utilization of radiation techniques to control insect 

 reproduction cycles, offers great promise. Many practical questions 

 also need continuing research attention to provide for modern solu- 

 tions to special insect problems. Of particular concern are problems 

 that arise from sudden buildups in endemic populations of pests in 

 areas where forest management is most advanced and where invest- 

 ments are highest. In such instances, strong programs of basic re- 

 search on insect life histories, their biology and physiology, and rela- 

 tions of insect populations to environments are extremely important 

 to future control. 



The balanced program of proposed investigation will embrace 

 studies illustrated by the following examples : 



1. Research on parasites, predators, and diseases of insects that 

 damage forests and related ranges and the development of tech- 

 niques for using these biological agents effectively in varied 

 natural environments. 



2. Intensified research on factors associated with or responsible for 

 insect outbreaks and development of silvicultural practices de- 

 signed to prevent outbreaks. 



3. Research to develop safer and more effective and economical 

 chemicals for direct control, with special emphasis on systemics 

 for use against such pests as the bark beetle vector of Dutch elm 

 disease. 



4. Increased understanding of insects that damage wood by boring 

 into the trunks of living trees or attack and destroy wood prod- 

 ucts used in structures or for other purposes; and development 

 of improved methods for preventing or controlling damage 

 caused by these insects. 



5. Accelerated research on insects that damage or destroy the 

 flowers, seeds, and cones of forest trees and jeopardize the success 

 of forest regeneration and tree planting programs. 



6. Beginning research on the biologies and ecologies of insects at- 

 tacking important species of bi'owse plants on forest -related 

 ranges. 



7. Accelerated research on the physiology of the most destructive 

 forest insects with emphasis on nutrition, genetics, and the devel- 

 opment of sterilization techniques. 



8. Expansion of knowledge concerning prevention or control of 

 destructive populations of forest insects, through acceleration of 



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