84 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 1953 
counties 376,755 acre- are classified as infested. Xo specimens could 
be recovered during 1952 on approximately 24 percent of the aci 
classified as infested; light populations were present on 48 percent 
of the infested acreage; moderate populations on 24 percent; heavy 
populations on only 4 percent. 
Surveys were conducted in noninfested States adjoining infe 
ones, and in States which may have been exposed to infestation from 
domestic or South American sources. The beetle has not been reported 
in a new State since 1948 even though extensive surveys have been 
made. 
AIRCRAFT AND SPECIAL EQUIPMENT CENTER 
During the year the Aircraft and Special Equipment Center at 
Oklahoma City, Okla., provided research and control units of the 
Department with technical assistance in the specialized field of agri- 
cultural aviation. These services included (1) technical advice in 
the preparation of bid specifications for contract aircraft services; 
(2) inspection of contractors' equipment and examination of pilots' 
qualifications prior to bid acceptance to determine whether bid speci- 
fications had been met; (3) inspection of equipment and personnel 
during operations to insure compliance with contract requirements, 
and (4) experimental and operational baiting and spraying. 
Technical assistance in the supervision of the Bureau's control oper- 
ations was extended to include those against grasshoppers, Mormon 
crickets, and gypsy moths, and areas not under contract were treated 
by Bureau aircraft. Similar aid was given to the Forest Service in 
connection with spruce budworm operations. 
The Center assisted the Division of Cereal and Forage Insect In- 
vestigations by making experimental applications for the control of 
grasshoppers and Mormon crickets; it provided equipment and per- 
sonnel for experimental applications of granulated and liquid 2,4-D 
for the control of white pine blister rust and of granulated DDT and 
dieldrin to brush and woodland areas for white-fringed beetle control; 
it assisted the Division of Insects Affecting Man and Animals in 
developing methods of dispersing screw worm pupae from airplanes 
for use in biological studies; and it provided aircraft and personnel 
for survey work on the gypsy moth and other forest insects. 
The Center participated in many conferences and pest-control 
schools held to acquaint operators with tin 4 latest information con- 
cerning the aircraft application of insecticides. The informational 
program included many demonstrations of Bureau equipment. In 
addition to maintaining Bureau aircraft in first-class operating con- 
dition, the ("enter made many improvements in this equipment. It 
cooperated with the Civil Aeronaut ics Administration in developing a 
high-lift wing for 1186 Oil Stearman aircraft. This development en- 
couraged several companies to design and sell new wings of similar 
con fi crura I ion. 
