Complimentary Banquet to Luther Burbank 



Mr. Mills: 



GENTLEMEN: There is a very marked appropriateness 

 in this testimonial banquet now tendered by the California 

 State Board of Trade. For sixteen years it has been the fixed 

 purpose of this organization to educate the people of Califor- 

 nia in the enlarged possibilities of the climatic environment of 

 this State. We are far from having exploited the possibilities 

 of the soil and climate of California. Our semi-tropical cli- 

 mate, the fertility of our soils, and the clemency of our sea- 

 sons, afford opportunity for the introduction here of many 

 objects of culture which would enhance the wealth-producing 

 capacity of our agricultural and horticultural classes, and 

 confer an increased profit upon all field culture. 



But the field of exploration has by no means been ex- 

 hausted. The next toast of the evening is: "The Agricul- 

 tural and Horticultural Resources of California," and the 

 response has been committed to the very able hands of the 

 Governor of the State, Honorable George C. Pardee. 



Response by Governor Pardee. 



Mr. Toastmaster and Gentlemen'. The Governor of 

 California has had, and will have, many pleasant duties to 

 perform. But none of them has been and none of them 

 will be quite so pleasant as that which he is this evening 

 called upon to perform, viz : express the high regard in which 

 this evening's honored guest is held by the people of this 

 State. 



Working quietly and modestly among his trees and vines, 



. 15 . 



