Complimentary Banquet to Luther Burbank 



] 



to procure some cuttings of the Burbank rose. I asked the 

 salesman who this man Burbank was, that had roses named 

 for him, and who it was said could beat old Ireland in 

 growing potatoes. He replied that Burbank was a French- 

 man living in the south of France who accidently discov- 

 ered the new potato while endeavoring to win a prize of- 

 fered by a French association to the one who could grow 

 garlic and onions without the offensive odor and not vitiate 

 the flavor of the vegetable. I assure you I took great pleas- 

 ure in telling that nurseryman that Mr. Burbank was by 

 compulsion a Yankee, born in Massachusetts, but by choice 

 he became a Californian, and his name was the pride of 

 our State. 



But I am reminded I should speak to the sentiment pro- 

 posed: "Our Government Aid to Agriculture" and with 

 your permission I want to say parenthetically that all 

 which relates to the cultivation of the soil has a peculiar 

 interest to me. Perhaps it is because I have even now a 

 vivid recollection when a barefooted New England boy how 

 it hurt to stub my bare toes against the rolling stones in 

 the field when planting corn and beans. Or it may be be- 

 cause later in life I ploughed the ocean, sowing not a few 

 wild oats and harrowing the feelings of those who felt an in- 

 terest in my welfare. But I am more than grateful that 

 the harvest I have reaped has not all been tares. 



As you are aware, the Department of Agriculture was 

 established by an act of Congress May 15, 1862, with a com- 

 missioner of agriculture in charge. It did not become an 

 executive department of the government until February 9, 

 1889, when the secretary of agriculture became classed as a 

 cabinet officer. Norman J. Coleman of Missouri, then Com- 

 missioner, was commissioned Secretary of Agriculture Feb- 



. . 19 . . 



