def start_of_month(year, month_param)
      merch_month = get_merch_month_param(month_param)
      retail_calendar.start_of_month(year, merch_month)
    end
def start_of_month(year, month_param)
      merch_month = get_merch_month_param(month_param)
      retail_calendar.start_of_month(year, merch_month)
    end
The start date of the month

 @example
  # The following are all equivalent, and refer to May 2015
  MerchCalendar.start_of_month(2015, 5)
  MerchCalendar.start_of_month(2015, month: 5)
  MerchCalendar.start_of_month(2015, julian_month: 5)
  MerchCalendar.start_of_month(2015, merch_month: 4)

 @param year [Integer] the merch year
 @param month_param [Integer,Hash] an integer specifying the julian month. This can also be a named hash
 @option month_param [Integer] :month the julian month
 @option month_param [Integer] :julian_month the julian month
 @option month_param [Integer] :merch_month the MERCH month

 @return [Date] the starting date of the specified month