The Italian Legacy in the Dominican Republic

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mainly mahogany. There were plants for industrial or medicinal uses, like eucalyptus; fruit trees, primarily

mangos; textiles, like sisal and hemp. Some were foreign plants and cuttings, like elephant grass and Japanese

sugarcane. There were also seeds for the same types of plants, except mahogany. Small quantities were also

sent to Colombia, the United States, Italy, Germany, and other countries.

Around the middle of 1927, the college graduated its first cohort of new technicians. Minister Espaillat

expressed his satisfaction in the corresponding

Memoria

: “In the month of July the investiture took place for the

presentation of the degrees of Bachelors in Agricultural Sciences to the young graduates following two years

of continuous studies.”

These graduates would then become agricultural instructors and fruit inspectors for

the Secretariat of Agriculture and Immigration in different points of the country. Espaillat also mentioned that

some of those who were not yet sufficiently prepared to study for the bachelor’s degree had received “a cor-

responding certificate of Study to show for having completed an Elementary practical course for one year.”

Given the excellent results of the College of Agriculture, Secretary Espaillat set out his vision to the Do-

minican president in the

Memoria

of the branch that he directed in 1927: “From the founding of this school,

I have thought that, after five years of operations, when we have been able to draw from it the number of

bachelors in Agricultural Sciences that the country might need in order to disseminate scientific principles

among the farmers, it should be converted into a Polytechnic Institute where pupils—now in much greater

numbers—will receive preparation that will qualify them for conscientious work in the field and in other in-

dustries that may arise in the republic.”

Historical Hall of the

Botanical Garden: this

hall is a testament

to the past and the

illustrious individuals

who contributed

greatly to the

development of the

Botanical Garden and

to scientific research

of the University

of Pavia. It houses

numerous artifacts and

paraphernalia, from

ancient microscopes

to botanical prints

and models as well as

portraits and a plaque

commemorating the

past directors of the

Botanical Garden.

(Paolo Cauzzi)

DR. RAFFAELE CIFERRI’S CONTRIBUTIONS IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC