agriculture. At the start of the publication, the author introduces the significance of the work as a pioneering effort to document the notable sugar estates of Cuba, which have previously been overlooked in literature. Cantero expresses gratitude toward various hacendados who contributed information and insights about their plantations. He emphasizes the need for such a compilation, aiming to highlight the advancements in agriculture and the crucial role sugar production plays in the economic prosperity of the nation. The introduction sets the stage for a detailed exploration of the sugar industry in Cuba, including descriptions of different sugar estates, their production techniques, and the interconnectedness of agriculture and society during that period. (This is an automatically generated summary.)