future wife's blood,
if her family history is good, if her temperament is suited to his, if
her domestic qualities are satisfactory, if her principles are moral
and normal, and if she understands and appreciates the true object and
function of marriage. Show him also the element of justice involved in
the marriage contract; that he must give what he exacts, that if he
expects a healthy and normal wife, he must be healthy and normal
himself; if he expects purity and cleanliness he must give purity and
cleanliness; if he expects to mate with a fit female he must be an
efficient and fit male. Remember that every act, deed, thought, and
aspiration is regulated by laws which one cannot fool with, or disobey,
without reaping a harvest which will conquer, crush and ruin you, no
matter how clever or smart you may think yourself.

Show him the wisdom of the breeders' habit of never permitting sexual
liberties in a too young stallion. For the same reason the boy must
conserve his strength and virility for the marriage state and for the
function of procreation.

In a further talk, the father may extend this subject and gradually lead
up to the "consequences" of the unclean life. The boy will be ready for
this talk and will evince an interest in it that will be encouraging and
promising.

The talk about the science of mating the horses he will understand
readily and thoroughly, and he will not fail to see the point when you
switch to man and apply the same principles. Then when you show how
mismating is responsible for poor children quality and how disease
accounts for feeble-minded and degenerate offspring, he will be fairly
well posted, and he will be ready to imbibe more details, and you will
have done much of your duty. His curiosity will be quickened and his
interest is awakened. It depends upon the father. If your boy is honest
and clean, open and decent, he will not fall without a fight, and while
he is fighting he is maturing. If your picture of the consequences of
the venereal diseases has been effective and vivid, he will grow up with
a healthy horror of them. If your conduct as a father has been wise and
exemplary, and if your home has the right kind of environment, and the
right kind of mother in it, you have done all a father can do to help
the boy over the rough spots. The proper kind of encouragement and the
right kind of vigilance, and books which will satisfy the boy's craving
for more knowledge along this line