Maybe sometimes common sense doesn't work?
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Notice the difference between the two pictures. No, not the snow, but see how they are stacked. Most of the time we stack as in the second picture; that is, 3 rows together stacked at 4 1/2' high. Now it would seem that if the center rows did not dry the same as the outside rows, then after a time that center row would be higher than the outside rows. We generally find that it is common for the stacks to shrink down to 4' in height by the time we top cover. The wood is usually stacked by early April and top covered about this time of the year. Yet, we have no problems with those center rows drying.
In the first picture. I think we at one time had 21 rows stacked right against each other with no space in between. We had no problems drying the wood and I might add that in this particular spot, the wood got very little sunshine. In the second picture, the far rows got lots of sunshine but the rows on the right got very little sun. Yet, all the wood stays at the same level.
Having said this, I would add that if I had to dry wood the fastest, I would no doubt stack a maximum of 4' high and stack in single rows with at least 3' between the rows. For sure I would stack in the windiest spot I could find on the place. Also make sure the wood does not touch the ground. On covering the wood, that depends somewhat upon your climate. As stated, we don't until this time of the year but some areas just get so much rain that it pays to top cover a bit earlier.
One more thought is that you mentioned space. Stacking as in the second picture, 3 rows 8' long and if they are 16" length logs, that one block of 3 rows gets you a cord of wood. And of you stack like that second picture, there is no additional costs involved. We cut saplings in the woods. Lay two of them down and stack on top of them. Crib the ends and do it neatly. If you need practice with this, then tend to have the cribbed ends slanting toward the rest of the pile rather than slanting outward as that could cause the stack to fall over. Do it right and it won't fall over and you don't have to buy anything. Your cost is enough just getting the wood so why add to it if you don't have to?
