AREA, POPULATION, RELIGION, ETC.— CHARITY 447

Area, Population, Religion, Instruction— Area 58,680 s(iuar.

miles, of which 4,440 sq^uare miles is water.

Years

1860 1880 1900 1910

White 1

77,747 142,803 297,812 443,950

Negro

Total

62,677 126,690 230,730 308,669

140,424 269,493 528,542 752,619

Per sq. mile

2-6

5

9-7

13-7

1 Including Indians and Asiatics. Ill 1910 the population by sex and birth was as follows :—

White

Negro

Asiatic

191

38

Indians

Total

Male ... — Female ... —

308,669

49 26

394,166 358,453

Total . . 443,646

229

75

752,619

Of the total, the foreign-born numbered 23,832, of Avhom 4,910 Avere from the West Indies, 2,231 from England, 1,812 from Germany, 1,707 from Italy, 1,202 from Canada, and 1,084 from Spain. The largest cities in the State are Jacksonville, with a population of 57,699 in 1910 ; Tampa, 37,782; Pensacola, 22,982; Key West, 19,945.

Of the church members of the State 41-6 per cent, are Baptist, and 37*2 per cent. Methodist. Others are chiefly Komaa Catholics, Protestant Episco- palians, and. Presbyterians.

Attendance at school is not compulsory. There are no provisions as to religious instruction in public schools. Separate schools are provided for white and coloured children.

In 1911 the public elementary schools had 4,618 teachers and 149,651 enrolled pupils (93,756 white). In 77 public high schools there were 176 teachers and 2,920 pupils. One public normal school had 2 teachers and 25 students in 1909. The State provides higher education in a University of the State of Florida at Gainsville with (1911-12) 17 professors and 302 students, and a State College for Women, with 316 students ; there is a college at Winter Park Avith 18 professors and 180 students. There is also a Baptist University with 49 professors and 581 students.

Charity.— The state contains 33 benevolent institutions, hospitals, homes, schools for the deaf and blind, &c. (exclusive of almshouses). There is no general statute governing poor-relief in Florida, but the State constitution says that the counties shall provide in manner prescribed by law for those inhabitants who from age, infirmity or misfortune have claims on public sympathy and aid. The county commissioners have the duty of providing for the poor anfl indigent of the State. City and town councils may look after their own poor. On January 1, 1905, the

almshouses contained 150 pauper inmates (80 Avhite and 70 coloured).