] The General does admit to enjoying his garden but seems more pleased when Catherine mentions that Mr. Allen doesn't bother with his garden or hot house. He certainly likes to show off his estate as a reflection of his wealth but what it says about his character is not very complimentary.

This is a great example of what Darcy calls the "indirect boast" isn't it? Remember how he says of Bingley's denigration of his handwriting that it is "The indirect boast; -- for you are really proud of your defects in writing, because you consider them as proceeding from a rapidity of thought and carelessness of execution, which if not estimable, you think at least highly interesting."