Section 1706. Chemistry.--The Department of Agriculture shall have the power, and its duty shall be:
(a) To purchase from wholesale or retail dealers, for the purpose of making chemical analyses, any fertilizers, lime, and lime products, feeds, feeding-stuffs, insecticides, fungicides, paints, oils, turpentine, putties, or materials or ingredients used in the manufacture or compound of any such fertilizers, lime, and lime products, feeds, feeding-stuffs, insecticides, fungicides, paints, oils, turpentine or putties, and to make examinations and analyses thereof, whenever the Secretary of Agriculture shall deem advisable;
(b) To keep correct records of all analyses made of each of the commodities received.