The Florida star. (Titusville, Fla.) 1880-1917, 1900-12-21
THE FATHER N i &
Of PROTECTION.
Some History Connected With
the Making of the Nc
Farland Tent.

MOI NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. He 10 gwen
credit for the discovery of America; not
Thomas Jefferson-although his hand
and brain framed the Declaration of In
dependence; but George Washington,
because it was through his genius and
energy that the hopes of the nation were
crystallized into form and a practical
method of protecting the liberties of the
people was established and maintained.
1t is upon the same theory that the title
of the Father of Protection" is due to
be bestowed upon William ii. McFar-
land.
True, he was not the originator of the
idea of protection; he is not even alone in
devising means for the protection of or
ange trees from killing frosts; but 1t
was, PROFESSIONALLY, his enthusiasm and
confidence i'm the citrus industry in that
section of the Florida peninsula above
the frost line, that aroused the growers
from the lethargy of despair, and which
caused them 20 again take heart and be-
gin anew the effort to restore their groves;
and today, while there are many meth
DDS not suggested by him, which are be-
ing employed TO prevent the killing eff
fects of low temperature, his method of
protecting trees is acknowledged by all as
practical, and is even endorsed by those
who have tried some other means of sal
walton from frost.
The splendidly equipped factory of the
Mcfarland Fruit Protection company, at
Titusville, which is now running at its
fullest capacity in order to fill the orders
for tents andprotecting material, which are
crowding upon the company, is monu-
ment to the genius and steadfastness of
purpose of the "Father of Protection"
Its history, if told in detail, would be a
revelation of the answering determine
ton of the man ard the tremendous
difficulties under which he labored 10
perfect his invention and organize a
company for its manufacture. Obstacles,
which would have appalled, ordinary
men, had no terrors COR him. He determ-
ined that he would furnish protection 10
the orange growers of Florida, and he is
now succeeding in doing so.
THE INVENTOR AT WORK.
Beginning the very night of the freeze
of February, 1899, when all looked black |
10 the orange grower, Mr.. Mcfarland |
worked continuously through the spring
and summer to perfect tent that would |
protect the trees from the cold, and, at
the same time, be so constructed that il |
could be handled with rapidity, made of
durable material and at a cost that would |
render its general adoption feasible. lie
labored night and day, seeming to take
NO rest, and, in fact, his disregard of the
natural laws of physical endurance was
80 frequent that his friends were greatly
concerned, for fear he would collapse.
Much time and money were spent IN eX-
periments that promised much; but on
account of some unforeseen defect, had to
he discarded. Several times. after max
ing "A tent that seemed To be all that was
required, Mr.. Mcfarland would exhibit
IL TO an admiring crowd, who thought
IL could not be excelled Even while he
was receiving the plaudits of his neigh
bors and friends, his keen eye discovered
some fatal error of construction or other
defect that would condemn it in his own
mind, and he would begin all over again.
The time came, however, when he RENE {
died all defects and was able To produce ,
tent that seemed to answer all require |
ments; even this he has since greatly =
upon.
When Mr.. Mcfarland made up his I
mind to invent and perfect a system of ,
protection TO citrus trees, he was taking ,
his annual, winter vacation at his adopted ,
home in Titusville; his business, that of :
a circus manager, was one in which he !
the highest salary. As the !
time approached for him to 90 upon the 4
road, although he was without funds and {
dependent upon his salary for a living, {
he Cancelled his contracts and made up I
his mind to devote his entire time TO
the restoration of the lost orange indus f
try in the state of Florida. He saw, with a
DrOphetic eve the future DrOsperity of n