Is Rappaccini a good botanist? Why or why not?

Yes,
Rappaccini is a good botanist.  He has a flourishing garden that attests to the devotion he has
for his craft and his science.  Professor Pietro Baglioni even admits to Giovanni that
Rappaccini's knowledge and abilities are second to none.  

"The truth is, our worshipful Doctor Rappaccini has as much science as any member
of the faculty. . ."

Baglioni continues to describe
some of the successes that Rappaccini has had as a botanist.  The reader, and Giovanni, learn
that Rappaccini has been able to...