http://www.whyy.org/91FM/ybyg/200709.html
copy and paste this in your browser. the first show on the page discusses garlic. It should answer most of your questions.

Ohforgoodnesssakes, there's a whole Allium Forum here on GardenWeb!

http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/allium/

I think you'll find all the information you need there; if not, please come back and ask!

Personally, I think it's a little early to plant. I wait until October to plant the garlic. You want to give it some time to get roots established, but not get a lot of above-ground growth going. As for the papery covering, I remove the very loose pieces, but don't strip the clove "nekkid".

I wish you success with your garlic. I love to look out through the winter and see the shoots, but, of course, that doesn't compare with sampling the harvest!

Thanx!!