_Hell-rake_ (Vol. iv., pp. 192. 260.).--I cannot dispossess my mind of
the impression that, like the theological word _hell_, so the
agricultural term _hell-rake_ is derived front the well-known Saxon word
signifying to _cover_.
Every Devonshire vestryman or mason well enough knows what is meant by
the "helling," or "heleing," or "heeling," of a church, viz. the
covering of the roof; and every farmer or labourer in the west will tell
you, that the _second-helling_ of potatoes is the covering them with
earth a second time. Query: Was not the _hell-rake_ originally an
implement used in husbandry for the purposes of _covering_ the
broad-cast seed, and for other kindred purposes?