The section devoted to composition and characteristics presents statistics for the population of Cuba classified according to sex, race, age, school attendance, education, citizenship status, marital status, family relationships, occupations, water supply, sanitation, and dwellings.

The section devoted to agriculture presents statistics by provinces for farm areas, farm ownership, principal crops, and live stock.

In the early part of July, 1899, I received instructions from the Hon. Russell A. Alger, Secretary of War, to prepare a "memorandum" for a census of Cuba. In August, immediately after your arrival in Washington, this "memorandum" was submitted to the Director of the United States Census, Hon. W. R. Merriam, the Assistant Director, Dr. F. H. Wines, and Mr. William C. Hunt, chief statistician. After consultation with the War Department it was decided that a census covering the field of inquiry usual in the United States was not expedient for Cuba, in view of existing conditions; that the schedules should be limited to population, agriculture, and education, as the three subjects of most importance; that the general plan of the United States census should be followed; and that, to save time, the schedules and other blank forms necessary for the enumeration of a population estimated at 1,600,000 be printed at once. The estimated cost of taking the census on this basis, together with a statement of the amount disbursed, will be found in Appendix XXI. As the Senate Committee on Cuban Relations, of which Senator O. H. Platt is chairman, will publish an itemized statement of the expenditures, they are omitted, to avoid unnecessary repetition.