Complimentary Banquet to Luther Burbank 



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If all were alike no progress could be made, and right here 

 comes the weakest point in the present educational systems. 



"I have long been studying on the intricate complexity of 

 the action of hereditary and environmental forces on life, 

 both in plants and in man and these comparisons and deduc- 

 tions came clearly, sharply and naturally. 



"It has been said that to improve a child we should be- 

 gin with the grandparents. This is only a half-truth, which 

 perhaps had better never have been said. Do not waste any 

 of your time on grandparents unless you commence on them 

 in earliest pliable childhood. If we hope for any improve- 

 ment of the human race we must begin with the child, as the 

 child responds more readily to environment than any creature 

 in existence. The change may come in the first generation, 

 and it may not. It may not show at all for many genera- 

 tions, but patience and constant attention will finally be re- 

 warded in the survival of the most beautiful, the most prec- 

 ious or the fittest, whichever you may wish to call it. 



"You all know that some great force is necessary to 

 change the aspect of minerals and metals. Powerful acids, 

 great heat, electricity, mechanical force or some such in- 

 fluence must be brought to bear upon them. Less potent in- 

 fluences will work a complete change in plant life. Mild 

 heat, sunshine, slight change in atmosphere and greatly 

 diluted chemicals, will all directly affect the growth- of the 

 plant and the production of fruits and flowers. And when 

 we come to animal life, especially in man, we find that the 

 force or influence necessary to effect a transformation is ex- 

 tremely slight. This is why environment plays such an im- 

 portant part in the development of man. 



"In child-rearing environment is equally essential with 

 heredity. Mind you, I do not say that heredity is of no con- 



. JO . 



