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The Amesbury and Salisbury Agricultural Association was 

 organized April 2d, 1856, with the following l)oard of officers : 

 Dr. Josiah B. G-ale, President ; nine Vice Presidents ; George 

 Turner, Secretary ; John G. Whittier, corresponding Secre- 

 tary ; Francis Brown, Treasurer. 



The objects of the Association, as set forth in the Constitu- 

 tion, were, 1st : The promotion and advancement of all kinds 

 of Agriculture and Horticulture ; Discussions, Lectures, Exhi- 

 bitions and Experiments ; procuring the most rare and valua- 

 ble seeds, scions, plants, shrubs and trees. 



2d. The establishment of a correspondence with other 

 societies ; by planting and cultivating shade and ornamental 

 trees on the streets and avenues of the town ; by the formation 

 of a library for the use of its members, including in the selec- 

 tion works upon Horticulture, Agriculture, and kindred 

 subjects, and such reports as may be obtained from Town and 

 State Societies and the Patent office. 



The first exhibition was held Thursday, Sept. 28, 1858. 

 Address by the Rev. Willard Spaulding, and John G. Whittier 

 wrote his celebrated " Harvest Hymn " for this occasion. 



1859. The second exhibition was held. Address by T. D. 

 P. Stone. 



May 14, 1860. Sixty (60) shade trees were purchased by 

 a committee of the Society and planted along side the walks in 

 our public streets and properly protected. At other periods 

 additional trees were set out, and to-day nearly all the shade 

 and ornamental trees, which beautify the town, owe their exis- 

 tence to the efforts of this Society. For this purpose it has 

 expended from its funds and by solicited donations, more than 

 two hundred and fifty dollars, aside from the labors of the 

 various committees who gave their time to the work. 



Sept. 27 and 28, 1860. Third exhibition ; address by Rev. 

 N. Lassell ; poem by Harriet Mcuen Kimball. 



1861, Oct. 3d and 4th. Fourth exhibition ; address by Rev. 

 J. C. Fletcher. 



1862, Sept. 28th. Fifth exhibition ; address by Rev. H. G. ' 

 Safford. 



