R.S. § 525 derived from act May 15, 1862, ch. 72, § 3, 12 Stat. 387 and Res. Dec. 15, 1868, No. 1, 15 Stat. 343.

Section was formerly classified to section 516 of Title 5 prior to the general revision and enactment of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees, by Pub. L. 89–554, § 1, Sept. 6, 1966, 80 Stat. 378.

“Secretary of Agriculture” substituted in text for “Commissioner of Agriculture” pursuant to sections 1 and 4 of act Feb. 9, 1889, which are classified to section 2202 of this title. See, also, section 2205 of this title.

Functions of all officers, agencies, and employees of Department of Agriculture transferred, with certain exceptions, to Secretary of Agriculture by 1953 Reorg. Plan No. 2, § 1, eff. June 4, 1953, 18 F.R. 3219, 67 Stat. 633, set out as a note under section 2201 of this title.