Rasadnik Čibača (1911-1932)

• Main Author: Benić-Penava, Marija
• Format: Article
• Language: Croatian
• Published: Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts 2017-10-01
• Series: Anali Zavoda za Povijesne Znanosti Hrvatske Akademije Znanosti i Umjetnosti u Dubrovniku
• Subjects: Čibača Plant Nursery; agriculture; education; apiculture; sericulture
• Online Access: http://hrcak.srce.hr/181205?lang=en

Based on archival material and relevant literature, this article traces the history of the Čibača Plant Nursery from its establishment in 1911 to 1932, when it was closed down. The initial purpose of setting up a nursery in Čibača, 7 km east of Dubrovnik, was to combat the spreading of grape vine disease in southern Dalmatia by producing American vine rootstocks. The Nursery’s original activity later also included the cultivation of Mediterranean plants—olives, figs, carob beans, oranges, lemons, ornamental plants and aromatic herbs. In addition, the Nursery promoted other agricultural activities, such as apiculture and sericulture, as well as the growth of tansy. From 1927 onwards, the Nursery organised agrarian courses which, unfortunately, the people ge-nerally attended only to fulfil the necessary qualifications in order to obtain the USA immigration visa. Following the initial success during Austrian rule, in the interwar Yugosla-via the Nursery stagnated due mainly to unprofessional management and poor financial support. A disease caused by Bacterium tumefaciens, coupled by political intereference in the Nursery’s operation resulted in 1932 in its closing down, the activities being relocated to Toplica near Bar in Montenegro. Despite the mentioned flaws, diversified activities of the Nursery in Čibača no doubt contributed to the agriculture of the Dubrovnik region and economic development of southern Croatia.