Abstract: A liquid adhesive composition for use in adhesive applicators of the curtain-coating class, such as are used in coating plywood veneers in the manufacture of plywood, comprises: An aqueous, alkaline phenol-aldehyde resinous adhesive, a filler, and a minor proportion of 2,4,7,9-tetramethyl-5-decyne-4,7-diol, or of the ethylene glycol-,propylene glycol-,and butylene glycol-ethers thereof having from 1 to 10 mols of glycol per mol of diol. The diol or diol ether serves the function of improving the curtain-forming qualities of the adhesive composition. In particular, its inclusion in the composition insures curtain uniformity, i.e. the absence of curtain breaks and tears, and uniform spread on the substrate.