A manual sprayer for receiving a liquid which includes a gripping knob mounted on one end of a reservoir and a spray assembly mounted in fluid communication on another end of the reservoir, a skirt for supporting the spray assembly against the ground, and a vent for venting the reservoir. The apparatus includes a valve that is actuated by a user gripping the knob and the valve being movable between a closed position preventing communication between the reservoir and the outside and an open position allowing such communication.