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        <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 15.95pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">UNITED
STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</font></div>
        <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13.7pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">WASHINGTON,
D.C. 20549</font></div>
        <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13.7pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
        <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 20.5pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 18pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">FORM
8-K</font></div>
        <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13.7pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">CURRENT
REPORT</font></div>
        <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13.7pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Pursuant
to Section 13 or 15(d) of the</font></div>
        <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13.7pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Securities
Exchange Act of 1934</font></div>
        <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13.7pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
        <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 11.4pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Date
of Report (Date of earliest event reported):&#160;&#160;<font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">November 13,
2008</font></font></div>
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INC.</font></div>
        <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 11.4pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(Exact
name of registrant as specified in its charter)</font></div>
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        <div>
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                <td valign="top" width="24%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;
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                <td valign="top" width="24%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;
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                <td valign="top" width="4%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;
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                <td valign="top" width="24%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;
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      or other</font></div>
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      Employer</font></div>
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                  <td width="70%"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman"><font style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"><font style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"><font style="TEXT-DECORATION: underline">&#160;<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold"> <font style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">50
      E. RiverCenter Boulevard, Covington,
      Kentucky</font> </font></font></font></font></font></font></td>
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                  <td width="70%"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold"> <font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">P.O.
      Box 391, Covington, Kentucky</font> </font></font></font></font></td>
                  <td width="30%"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;<font style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">41012-0391</font></font></td>
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                <tr>
                  <td width="70%"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;(Mailing
      Address)</font></td>
                  <td width="30%"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;(Zip
      Code)</font></td>
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          <div>&#160;</div>
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        <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 11.4pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
        <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 11.4pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Registrant&#8217;s
telephone number, including area code: <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">(859)
815-3333</font></font></div>
        <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 11.4pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
        <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 11.4pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Check the
appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously
satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following
provisions:</font></div>
        <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13.7pt"><br></div>
        <div>
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              <tr>
                <td align="left" valign="top" width="4%">
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      </font></td>
                <td align="left" valign="top" width="73%">
                  <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 11.4pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Written
      communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR
      230.425)</font></div>
                </td>
              </tr>
              <tr>
                <td valign="top" width="4%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;
      </font></td>
                <td valign="top" width="3%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;
      </font></td>
                <td valign="top" width="73%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;
      </font></td>
              </tr>
              <tr>
                <td align="left" valign="top" width="4%">
                  <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 11.4pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">[&#160;&#160;&#160;]</font></div>
                </td>
                <td valign="top" width="3%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;
      </font></td>
                <td align="left" valign="top" width="73%">
                  <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 11.4pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Soliciting
      material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
      240.14a-12)</font></div>
                </td>
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              <tr>
                <td valign="top" width="4%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;
      </font></td>
                <td valign="top" width="3%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;
      </font></td>
                <td valign="top" width="73%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;
      </font></td>
              </tr>
              <tr>
                <td align="left" valign="top" width="4%">
                  <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 11.4pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">[&#160;&#160;&#160;]</font></div>
                </td>
                <td valign="top" width="3%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;
      </font></td>
                <td align="left" valign="top" width="73%">
                  <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 11.4pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Pre-commencement
      communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
      240.14d-2(b))</font></div>
                </td>
              </tr>
              <tr>
                <td valign="top" width="4%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;
      </font></td>
                <td valign="top" width="3%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;
      </font></td>
                <td valign="top" width="73%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;
      </font></td>
              </tr>
              <tr>
                <td align="left" valign="top" width="4%">
                  <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 11.4pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">[&#160;&#160;&#160;]</font></div>
                </td>
                <td valign="top" width="3%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;
      </font></td>
                <td align="left" valign="top" width="73%">
                  <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 11.4pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Pre-commencement
      communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
      240.13e-4(c))</font></div>
                </td>
              </tr>
          </table>
        </div><br>
        <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
          <div id="FTR">
            <div id="GLFTR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#160;
</font></div>
          </div>
          <div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always">
            <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#160;
</font></div>
            <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#160;
</font></div>
          </div>
          <div id="HDR">
            <div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#160;
</font></div>
          </div>
        </div>
      </div>
      <div>&#160;</div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br>&#160;</div>
    </div>
    <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
      <div>
        <div>
          <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 18pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">
            <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13.7pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Item
2.01&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;Completion
of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets</font></div>
            <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13.7pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 12.55pt"><br></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 12.55pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"></font>On November 13, 2008, Ashland Inc.
(&#8220;Ashland&#8221;) completed the acquisition of Hercules Incorporated (&#8220;Hercules&#8221;)
pursuant to the terms of the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of July 10,
2008 among Ashland, Ashland Sub One, Inc. and Hercules Incorporated (the &#8220;Merger
Agreement&#8221;).&#160;&#160;Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, each of
the issued and outstanding shares of common stock, no par value, of Hercules was
converted into the right to receive 0.0930 of a share of Ashland common stock
and $18.60 in cash.&#160;&#160;The description of the Merger Agreement is
qualified in its entirety by the full text of the agreement attached as Exhibit
2.1 to a Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 10, 2008.</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 12.55pt"><br></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 12.55pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Item
8.01&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;Other
Events</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 12.55pt"><br></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 12.55pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"></font>On November 13, 2008, Ashland issued a
press release announcing the completion of the merger with
Hercules.&#160;&#160;A copy of this press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1
hereto.</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 12.55pt"><br></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 12.55pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Item
9.01&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; Financial Statements and
Exhibits</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13.7pt"><br></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 12.55pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"></font>Set forth below are the financial
statements relating to the completed acquisition described above that are
required to be filed as part of this Form 8-K:</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 12.55pt"><br></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 12.55pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(a)&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;Financial
Statements of Business Acquired</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 12.55pt"><br></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 12.55pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"></font>As permitted by Item 9.01(a)(4) of Form
8-K, Ashland will file the financial statements required by this item of Form
8-K pursuant to an amendment to this Current Report on Form 8-K not later than
seventy-one (71) calendar days after the date this Form 8-K must be
filed.</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 12.55pt"><br></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 12.55pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(b)&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;Pro
Forma Financial Information</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 12.55pt"><br></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 12.55pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"></font>As permitted by Item 9.01(b)(2) of Form
8-K, Ashland will file the financial information required by this item of Form
8-K pursuant to an amendment to this Current Report on Form 8-K not later than
seventy-one (71) calendar days after the date this Form 8-K must be
filed.</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13.7pt"><br></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 12.55pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(d)&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;Exhibits</font></div>
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<font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Description</font></font></div>
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                        <div><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#160;
      </font></div>
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                        <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">99.1</font></div>
                      </td>
                      <td>
                        <div align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Press
      release, dated November 13, 2008, announcing the completion of the
      acquisition of Hercules
Incorporated</font></div>
                      </td>
                    </tr>
                </table>
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            <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">
              <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
                <div id="FTR">&#160;</div>
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                  <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">2&#160;
</font></div>
                  <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
                  </div>
                </div>
                <div id="HDR">
                  <div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#160;
</font></div>
                </div>
              </div>
            </div>
          </div>
        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#160;<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">SIGNATURES</font></font></div>
    <div>&#160;</div>
    <div style="TEXT-INDENT: 18pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;Pursuant to
the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly
caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly
authorized.</font></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div>
      <div align="left">
        <div align="left">
          <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">
              <tr>
                <td valign="top" width="50%" style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
                <td align="left" valign="top" width="50%">
                  <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">
                    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">ASHLAND
      INC.</font></div>
                  </div>
                </td>
              </tr>
          </table>
        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Date:<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>November 13,
2008</font></div><br></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div>
      <div align="left">
        <div align="left">
          <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">
              <tr>
                <td valign="top" width="53%" style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px">
                  <div style="TEXT-ALIGN: right"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;By:&#160;
      </font></div>
                </td>
                <td align="left" valign="top" width="47%" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: black 1px solid"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;/s/
      David L. Hausrath</font></td>
              </tr>
              <tr>
                <td valign="top" width="53%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
                <td valign="top" width="47%">
                  <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
                    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">David
      L.&#160; Hausrath</font></div>
                  </div>
                </td>
              </tr>
              <tr>
                <td valign="top" width="53%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
                <td valign="top" width="47%">
                  <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
                    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Senior
      Vice President and&#160; </font></div>
                  </div>
                </td>
              </tr>
              <tr>
                <td valign="top" width="53%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
                <td valign="top" width="47%">
                  <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
                    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">General
      Counsel</font></div>
                  </div>
                </td>
              </tr>
          </table>
        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left" align="center">
      <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
        <div id="FTR">
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        <div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always">
          <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt">3</font></div>
          <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
          </div>
        </div>
        <div id="HDR">
          <div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right">
          </div>
        </div>
      </div><font style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Exhibit
Index</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">
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        <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">
            <tr>
              <td align="right" valign="top" width="1%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
              <td align="right" valign="top" width="5%">
                <div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Exhibit</font></div>
              </td>
              <td width="3%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
              <td align="left" valign="top" width="91%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Description</font></td>
            </tr>
            <tr>
              <td align="right" valign="top" width="1%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
              <td align="right" valign="top" width="5%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
              <td width="3%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
              <td align="left" valign="top" width="91%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
            </tr>
            <tr>
              <td align="right" valign="top" width="1%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
              <td align="right" valign="top" width="5%">
                <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left" align="right"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">99.1</font></div>
              </td>
              <td width="3%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
              <td align="left" valign="top" width="91%">
                <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Press
      Release dated November 13, 2008, announcing the completion of the
      acquisition of Hercules
Incorporated.</font></div>
              </td>
            </tr>
        </table>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center">&#160;</div>
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          <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">4</font></div>
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        <div id="HDR">&#160;</div>
      </div>
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form8k.htm
UNITED
STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON,
D.C. 20549
FORM
8-K
CURRENT
REPORT
Pursuant
to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities
Exchange Act of 1934
Date
of Report (Date of earliest event reported):
November 13,
2008
ASHLAND
INC.
(Exact
name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Kentucky
1-32532
20-0865835
(State
      or other
jurisdiction
      of incorporation)
(Commission
      File Number)
(IRS
      Employer
Identification
      No.)
50
      E. RiverCenter Boulevard, Covington,
      Kentucky
41101
(Address
      of principal executive offices)
(Zip
      Code)
P.O.
      Box 391, Covington, Kentucky
41012-0391
(Mailing
      Address)
(Zip
      Code)
Registrant's
telephone number, including area code:
(859)
815-3333
Check the
appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously
satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following
provisions:
[   ]
Written
      communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR
      230.425)
[   ]
Soliciting
      material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
      240.14a-12)
[   ]
Pre-commencement
      communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
      240.14d-2(b))
[   ]
Pre-commencement
      communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
      240.13e-4(c))
Item
2.01                      Completion
of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets
On November 13, 2008, Ashland Inc.
("Ashland") completed the acquisition of Hercules Incorporated ("Hercules")
pursuant to the terms of the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of July 10,
2008 among Ashland, Ashland Sub One, Inc. and Hercules Incorporated (the "Merger
Agreement").  Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, each of
the issued and outstanding shares of common stock, no par value, of Hercules was
converted into the right to receive 0.0930 of a share of Ashland common stock
and $18.60 in cash.  The description of the Merger Agreement is
qualified in its entirety by the full text of the agreement attached as Exhibit
2.1 to a Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 10, 2008.
Item
8.01                      Other
Events
On November 13, 2008, Ashland issued a
press release announcing the completion of the merger with
Hercules.  A copy of this press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1
hereto.
Item
9.01        Financial Statements and
Exhibits
Set forth below are the financial
statements relating to the completed acquisition described above that are
required to be filed as part of this Form 8-K:
(a)           Financial
Statements of Business Acquired
As permitted by Item 9.01(a)(4) of Form
8-K, Ashland will file the financial statements required by this item of Form
8-K pursuant to an amendment to this Current Report on Form 8-K not later than
seventy-one (71) calendar days after the date this Form 8-K must be
filed.
(b)           Pro
Forma Financial Information
As permitted by Item 9.01(b)(2) of Form
8-K, Ashland will file the financial information required by this item of Form
8-K pursuant to an amendment to this Current Report on Form 8-K not later than
seventy-one (71) calendar days after the date this Form 8-K must be
filed.
(d)           Exhibits
Exhibit
Description
99.1
Press
      release, dated November 13, 2008, announcing the completion of the
      acquisition of Hercules
Incorporated
2
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to
the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly
caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly
authorized.
ASHLAND
      INC.
Date:
November 13,
2008
By:
/s/
      David L. Hausrath
David
      L.  Hausrath
Senior
      Vice President and
General
      Counsel
3
Exhibit
Index
Exhibit
Description
99.1
Press
      Release dated November 13, 2008, announcing the completion of the
      acquisition of Hercules
Incorporated.
4