
VITMCGIS Foc tet 
N 1879 Joseph Wysong Vestal journeyed from Cambridge City, Indiana, to Little Rock. 
to see whether he could find a more favorable location for his florist business where the 
winters would not be so severe. The mild climate and fertile soil of Little Rock persuaded 
him to settle here. The next year he moved his family, as well as his plants, hotbed sash and 
other equipment, including all that was necessary for the manufacture of flower pots an 
urns. In those days traveling was not easy, for this was only six or eight years after the first 
railroad to Little Rock was built. 
With him this early Vestal brought more than 500 varieties of roses. Among them was 
Marechal Niel, which he had just acquired from France. He was the first Southern florist 
to sell this rose, and he was largely responsible for the enormous popularity which it subse- 
quently achieved, for thousands of plants were bought and sold throughout this section dur- 
ing his lifetime. He had, as well, a long list of other sought-after varieties of the day. The 
growing of roses, both as outdoor garden plants and in the greenhouse for the production ot 
cut-flowers, has continued to be a specialty of our firm. 
In addition to roses, a complete stock of chrysanthemums, geraniums, verbenas, and 
hundreds cf other old and newer varieties of those early days, together with many of the 
old-time stove plants which have returned to popularity recently, were a part of the Vestal 
business. 
Joseph W. Vestal helped to organize and was president of the first horticultural society 
in Arkansas, and took an active part m all of its early activities. Much of the advancement 
in horticulture in the state is indirectly a result of his work. His three sons, George, Frank 
and Charles, became associated with him in the business. Through their efforts the small 
flue houses of the early days gradually gave way to more modern houses with central heat- 
ing systems. 
Today the Vestal firm has over 200,000 square feet of modern greenhouses which would 
extend the length of thirty city blocks. A power plant to heat these houses is capable of 
supplying sufficient power for a town with a population of 5000. The present business Is 
operated by Walter and Howell Vestal, grandsons of the founder, who follow the same 
principles as those established seventy-five years ago. 
We still have a Jarge mail-order business and furnish seeds, plants and bulbs to thousands 
of home owners and garden lovers throughout the United States, but especially m the South 
and Southwest. Present-day varieties and methods are a great Improvement over conditions 
that prevailed in Arkansas in 1880, but our basic principle of quality merchandise and fair 
treatment of all customers remains the same. 
_ We feel a deep pride in the part which the Vestal company has played in building up an 
interest in floriculture here at the gateway to the Southwest. In the seventy-five years to 
come we hope to see that interest multiplied many times. 




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