Pencil Cob
75 to 100 days — Although now relatively rare, this old "shoe peg type" dent corn variety is an heirloom variety from the Southern United Stated that pre-dates 1900. 'Pencil Cob' is a very flavorful
roasting ear corn variety, or picked in its early milk stage at about 75 days, it is used for
frying or
creaming. Since most field corn varieties have low sugar content, try adding a little sugar when
creaming. 'Pencil Cob' is also useful as wildlife and livestock feed.
The plants grow five to six feet tall and produce two to three ears per stalk. As seen in the picture, it gets its name from the fact that the cobs are not much bigger in diameter than a pencil. Although most merchants simply state that it is a white corn, the color of the kernels are actually a dull or drab white color with a yellowish hue, and tips that pick up a reddish tinge from the cob's coloring. 'Pencil Cob' withstands dry weather spells well. Each ounce is approximately 110 seeds.
