FIFTY-FIRST ANNUAL CONVENTION 71 



hot air, but they are sound scientific facts. You and I used 

 to make a lot of fun of our scientists for some of the theories 

 and ideas advanced. One old practice in particular, that of 

 planting potatoes in the light of the moon, was the cause 

 of much merriment, and was branded as a foolish supersti- 

 tion. But, in the light of recent scientific discoveries, there 

 seems to be something to this after all. It has been estab- 

 lished that the ultra-violet rays given off by the moon are 

 of decided benefit to planting potatoes. So let us not be 

 too quick to ridicule. 



It certainly is very easy to measure the effect of the 

 ultra-violet ray on live stock and on children, and certainly, 

 if there is one message I want you to take home, it is the 

 effect of minerals on children and the absolute importance 

 of children having direct sunlight. Don't think your chil- 

 dren are being properly cared for — make it your duty to 

 see that they are. Without sunlight, a child will become 

 rickety, under-nourished and under-sized. 



By seeing that children get the proper amount of min- 

 erals, you will build up a strong resistance to these maladies. 



Just what minerals should be used and from what 

 sources can you get them? You must use calcium, a high 

 calcium limestone of good source. Don't make this mis- 

 take — don't use limestone that contains magnesium, be- 

 cause it prevents the digestion of phosphates. Use a 98 or 

 99 per cent pure calcium limestone. 



For dairy cows, you should use an absolutely sterile 

 bone meal. A bone meal is calcium phosphate. It supplies 

 an additional supply of calcium. 



What else should you use? You should use potassium 

 iodine. It prevents the development of what is known as 

 ''calf goiter," ''lumpy jaw" and diseases of that character. 

 The use of iodine in the mixture of minerals is the work of 

 an expert and I would advise you to be careful in using. 



Here is the situation: You have calcium phosphate 

 and iodine, but one of the most difficult problems of dairy 

 feeding is getting the cow^ to eat it. It is repulsive to them. 

 The first time they will all refuse it. They are absolutely 

 wild in the presence of such a feed as bone meal. 



