There's hardly been a minute since my father, C. E. 
Whitten, founded the forerunner of this business in 1889, 
that there hasn't been a member of the Whitten family 
actively engaged in its operation. 
When I was taken ill a few years ago, I retired only temporarily from the 
commercial end of the business. However, I was able to do a great deal of 
study and research, constantly keeping in close touch with all developments in 
the nursery field. During this time my son, C. A. Whitten, stepped into my 
shoes to keep the family interest in the concern active. 
1940 ANOTHER50^mo/BIG values 
As most of our customers know, in 1926 Mr. Ackerman joined with me in 
organizing THE WHITTEN-ACKERMAN NURSERIES. After a time conditions 
arose which made it seem to me both expedient and desirable for the WHITTEN 
interests to operate separately, and so last March I took the initial steps toward 
dissolving the old partnership, which dissolution became effective as of July 1st, 
1939. And now we take pleasure in announcing to our many thousands of loyal 
customers the continuance of business under the name of THE WHITTEN NURS¬ 
ERIES. Once more our organization is entirely independent, operated solely by 
the WHITTEN family, just as it was in years past. 
Once more we are free to operate every phase of this business as we always 
preferred to operate it—to so conduct it at all times that our customers shall 
enjoy the greatest satisfaction. 
OUfi PLEDGE fOfi THE fUTURE 
THE WHITTEN NURSERIES will always strive to provide you with quality 
nursery stock at the most attractive prices. You will never find us offering 
novelties of doubtful value, or making extravagant claims or misleading state¬ 
ments in an attempt to justify excessively high prices. When we say a thing is 
good, you can depend that it has been thoroughly tried and tested before it is 
offered our customers. Now, as in the past, 
THE WHITTEN NURSERIES will be a reliable 
source of supply for dependable, true-to-name 
nursery stock at fair prices. 
In celebration of this Golden Anniversary 
Year of the Whitten Family in the nursery 
business, we have packed the pages of this 
1940 Catalog with unusual values that can be 
depended upon to be exactly as represented. 
OWNER and MANAGER 
THE WHITTEN NURSERIES 
C. E. WHITTEN 
Founder 
Started Business 
in 1889 
R. C. WHITTEN 
Present 
Head of Business 
C. A. WHITTEN 
of the 
3rd Generation 
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