The noble entrepreneurs coming from the bourgeoisie: Counts Bettoni Cazzago during the nineteenth century

The aim of this contribution is to highlight the entrepreneurial activities managed by the family of the Counts Bettoni Cazzago. In their land properties they cultivated both high added value goods (lemons and olive oil) and products with lower market value (such as wine, wheat and maize). They also invested in silkworm breeding and they varied the management methods of their farms in relation to the different cultivated crops and they organised the distribution of their production. They created an efficient distribution network in Europe as well as new companies (including a rural cooperative) which allowed them to reduce their selling expenses