Tally
2 of the 7 encyclopedias on this shelf carry an entry for Tally. Both are reproduced below, so you can see where they agree and where they differ.
Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)
a notched stick employed as a means of keeping accounts. In buying or selling it was customary for the parties to the transaction to have two sticks, or one stick cleft longitudinally into two parts, on each of which was marked with notches or cuts the number or quality of goods delivered, or the amount due between debtor and creditor, the seller keeping one stick and the buyer the oth- The mode of keeping accounts by er. tallies was introduced into England by the Normans, 1066. Besides accounts, other records were formerly kept on notched sticks, as almanacs, in which redletter days were signified by a large notch, ordinary days by small notches, etc. Such were formerly very common in most European countries. In England tallies were long issued in lieu of certificates of indebtedness to creditors of the state. The system of issuing exchequer tallies was abolished by an act of George III., and by acts of William IV., the accumulated tallies were ordered to be destroyed. They were accordingly burned in a stove in the House of Lords, but the stove being over-heated, unfortunately set fire to the paneling of the room, and the Houses of Parliament were destroyed. Anything made to correspond with or suit another. A label or ticket of wood or metal used in gardens for the purpose of bearing either the name of the plant to which it is attached, or a number referring to a catcertain number of alogue. Also, a cabbages.
Aiton's Encyclopedia (1910)
a stick once in general use for keeping accounts. Debts were indicated by notches cut clear across the stick. The stick was then split in two, one-half being given to the debtor, the other retained by the creditor. If either debtor or creditor attempted to tamper with his half of the tally, the other half would show that changes had been made. Additional debts were recorded by placing the two halves of the stick together and cutting new notches extending across both. Good sized notches were used to indicate different amounts. A notch for pound 100 was as wide as one's thumb; for one pound as wide as a barleycorn; a smaller scratch indicated a penny. Tallies of this sort were actually used by the exchequer of England. As late as 1812 the English government issued tallies to those who loaned it money. The name of the loaner was written on each half of the tally. The use of the tally was clear even to those unable to read and write.