I think I have now read of almost every conceivable way of breaking in a brooks saddle:

Brooks: Use only our Proofride, which costs $12 for a 1.3 oz tin.
Shelton Brown: Pour neatsfoot oil, etc. on and rub into both sides. Alternatively soak the saddle in it. Never allow the saddle to get wet, never allow the oil to dry out.
Transam rider?: Soak it in motor oil.
Forum poster 1: Never put anything on the saddle.
Forum poster 2: Soak the saddle in water the first time you ride it. As it dries it will conform to your butt.
Local Bike Shop Owner: (who sold me the saddle) Don't even sit on the saddle before you treat it with oil.
Forum Poster 3: Congratulations, you just ruined your saddle with oil.

Keeping with the spirit of things, I have now come up with my own method. I haven't tried it yet but that won't stop me from advising others. Send your new saddle to the local applied physics laboratory. Ask them to irradiate it using a cesium 137 source. A dose of 10 MRad should be adequate for the B17 and similar saddles, but for the thicker and recalcitrant Professional model a dosage of 20 MRad is recommended.

Seriously, I realize that all the advice has been well intended and I do appreciate your efforts.